A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study of Heterojunction Photocatalysis

Heterojunction Photocatalysis is currently considered as one of the promising routes to produce eco-friendly hydrogen fuel by exploiting the solar energy. The idea is based on the conversion of the solar energy to perform fuel-producing (e.g., hydrogen) electrochemical reaction that can split water into its ingredients. This technology has the potential to provide scalable, non-toxic chemical fuel that can sustain the renewable energy economic paradigm. Particularly, this technology utilizes a junction of two different semiconductors and exploits the junction properties to facilitate/accelerate the transfer of the photogenerated carriers to water to perform the desired photoelectrochemical reaction (acts as a catalyst). Nevertheless, the practical realization of highly efficient heterojunction photocatalysts is yet to be accomplished as the fundamental governing process of semiconductor photocatalysis has not been fully understood. This project aims at developing computational model capable of delivering crucial insights of the governing process. These theoretical results will be further coupled with experimental data in the case of practical heterojunction photocatalysts such as WO3/TiO2 system. A collaborative theoretical and experimental study of this nature is expected to offer indispensable knowledge/guideline to realize cost-effective and efficient heterojunction photocatalysts in future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kirk H Bevan

Student:

Partner:

University College London

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: