Improving Efficiency, Durability & Cost-effectiveness of III-V Semiconductors
- $1.31m Funded by ARENA
- $3.52m Total project cost
Summary
This project aims to demonstrate a photo electrochemical system using III-V multi-junction semiconductors through cost-effective epitaxial lift-off techniques that are surface modified for robust operation.
How the project works
Direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion presents the most promising technique for achieving both high efficiency and lower costs by eliminating various efficiency loss mechanisms and reducing capital expenditure. ANU will work with MicroLink Devices Inc. and the University of Michigan combining their world leading expertise in epitaxial lift-off and semiconductor photocatalysis, respectively, with III-V semiconductor epitaxial growth expertise of ANU.
Learn more
Report: Direct Water Electrolysis Midterm Activity March 2021
This report describes how the project has been developing high performance semiconductor materials to be used in robust and efficient systems to produce hydrogen directly from solar energy.
Media Release: Boosting Research into Exporting Renewable Hydrogen
ARENA announced it has awarded funding to 16 research projects to propel innovation in exporting renewable hydrogen to the world.
Area of innovation
Photoelectrochemical solar water splitting via III-V multi-junction semiconductors is proven to be the most efficient way of producing hydrogen directly from sunlight, but they suffer from high material costs and photodegradation. This project aims to tackle these issues by (i) designing appropriate III-V material structures to maximise photocurrents and generate the necessary photovoltage, (ii) developing thin-film tandem structures allowing the reuse of substrate wafers, (iii) achieving effective surface stabilisation and catalyst functionalisation for robust operation, and (iv) demonstrating a high-efficiency direct water splitting system with long-term stability.
Benefit
This project focusses on developing material technologies for the direct production of gaseous hydrogen using sunlight. Efficiency and cost are major factors in the creation of overall renewable energy export supply chain. This project aims to address both these barriers. First, tandem III-V semiconductors to be developed in this work are expected to enable high STH conversion efficiencies. Second, this project will address the high capital costs associated with III-V materials by employing novel techniques for the development of thin-film III-V tandem materials for the direct production of hydrogen from solar energy.
ARENAWIRE Blogs
Cutting-edge hydrogen research in Australia
Researchers are developing new ways to export Australia’s renewable energy in the form of hydrogen.
How could renewable hydrogen power our lives?
Hydrogen offers a way to produce a renewable, emissions-free fuel using the power of the sun and wind.
ARENA awards $22 million to unlock hydrogen potential
In recent weeks, the buzz around the potential for hydrogen to unlock opportunities to export renewable energy to the world has gone from a light murmur to a loud hum.
