Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) is widely recognized for its efficiency and high-purity hydrogen output, but it requires large amounts of pure water, restricting deployment in dry environments. Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH), an emerging technology for extracting clean water from air, has now been successfully integrated with PEMWE in this new design.
The researchers created a self-sustaining system that couples solar-powered photothermal water harvesting with membrane electrolysis. The device employs hierarchically porous carbon to capture water vapor from the air. Solar heat drives evaporation, and the vapor is delivered to a custom-built electrolyzer that converts it into hydrogen. The porous carbon was synthesized through templating and calcination, followed by surface oxidation to enhance water absorption.
Performance tests showed strong results. Even at relative humidity as low as 20 percent, the device maintained stable water collection and evaporation. At 40 percent humidity, it achieved a hydrogen generation rate of nearly 300 milliliters per hour, with consistent operation across multiple cycles.
Field demonstrations confirmed that the system continuously produces hydrogen using only sunlight, with zero carbon emissions and no external power requirements. The team emphasized that this approach offers a viable route to clean hydrogen production in water-stressed regions, helping expand renewable energy options.
Research Report:Solar-Driven Atmospheric Water Production Through Hierarchically Ordered Porous Carbon for Self-Sustaining Green Hydrogen Production
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