Perovskite Photovoltaic Hydrogen Production from Seawater with Solar to Hydrogen beyond 14% and Techno-Economic Evaluation

Photovoltaic (PV) hydrogen production from seawater enables solar energy to be stored as hydrogen fuel; highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are critical. The interplay between PV output and the OER performance is crucial for achieving cost-effective and efficient hydrogen production. Here, we detail the synthesis of transition metal oxide catalysts through a rapid electrodeposition technique. Notably, the CoFe/indium tin oxide (ITO) demonstrated superior OER activity in a simulated seawater environment, with an overpotential of merely 268 mV at 10 mA/cm². Unassisted perovskite PV hydrogen production coupled by tandem perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and CoFe/ITO//Pt water splitting cell achieved a peak operating current density of about 11.53 mA/cm² and a solar to hydrogen efficiency of 14.18%. Furthermore, we meticulously crafted an extensive perovskite solar module framework for hydrogen production by scrutinizing the operational mechanisms of various active areas within the PSCs and the OER catalysts throughout the electrolytic process. A comprehensive techno-economic analysis has been conducted, which has unveiled that the levelized cost of hydrogen for the perovskite PV hydrogen production system was approximated at 7.17 $/kg. This finding provides both theoretical underpinning and practical direction for the advancement of solar hydrogen fuel production, underscoring its potential as a sustainable energy solution.