Composite proton-conducting polymer membranes for clean hydrogen production with solar light in a simple photoelectrochemical compartment cell

Photocatalytic hydrogen production under sunlight was demonstrated using a two-compartment cell without any electrical or chemical bias. New composite polymer membranes act as compartment separator as well as support for coated electrodes and photocatalyst. Commercial P25 was used as model photocatalyst and was spin-coated on different types of membranes. With these high amounts of hydrogen were produced from pure water in a separated half-cell. Higher proton concentrations in low concentrated hydrochloric acid enhance the photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

► A simple two-compartment photoelectrochemical cell is introduced. ► No chemical or electrical bias is needed. ► New composite polymer membranes act as compartment separator. ► The cell is used for photocatalytic water splitting experiments. ► Hydrogen can be generated spatially separated from the oxidation products.