Solar fuels via high-temperature splitting of water and carbon dioxide

[Murky]

One of the most critical bottlenecks to replacing fossil fuels and their accompanying carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions with renewable solar energy is to overcome the inherent intermittency of solar radiation. Due to their high energy density, chemical fuels such as hydrogen gas (H2) and hydrocarbons are among the most effective mediums for storing solar energy. Presently, however, solar-to-fuel efficiency and cost remain uncompetitive with conventional energy sources. This is partly because conversion efficiency is low, limited by absorption of light and the rate of chemical reactions. For state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical cells for water splitting, achieving a voltage sufficient to overcome the energetic barriers and slow reaction rates usually requires large band-gap absorbers or multi-junction cells, both decreasing efficiency and increasing cost.1

Figure 1. Schematic depicting a solar-driven metal oxide thermochemical cycle, which switches between high-temperature (TH) and low-temperature (TL) operation. MO2 is the fully oxidized metal, and MO2 − δ is a partially reduced metal oxide, where δ≪0.5.

Continue Reading.

Does anyone have ideas on how to make this more efficient? What do you think is the most critical in advancing this technology?

 

[Takhisis]

Hydrocarbons are effective? Hmm, how can we make some more then? Those take millions of years to produce naturally.

The 'increasing cost' part can eb solved by capitalist demand. Let's just start a marketing campaign with some spin doctors.