ENHANCEMENT OF HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION BY HEATING THE ELECTROLYTE WITH SOLAR RADIATION

Elevating the operational temperature of water electrolysis presents a promising way to enhance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency. In this study, a KOH solution was fortified with nanocarbon particles to craft the functional electrolyte. This modified electrolyte exhibits solar light absorption capabilities, experiencing a temperature rise of approximately [Formula: see text]C upon solar illumination. Both nickel foam and platinum sheet working electrodes demonstrated HER performance enhancement by 20%. Simulating modeling indicates that thermal augmentation is modulated by the heat conduction coefficient. The electrolyte could be heated more effectively in a circumstance with lower heat conduction. This study introduces a methodology for electrolyte heating that eschews electricity consumption, offering a potentially industrially scalable approach.