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research article

Single emulsion drops for photocatalytic water splitting as a membrane-free approach to product separation

Savant, Sangram Ashok  
•
De Angelis, Gaia  
•
Nandy, Swarnava  
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2023
Cell Reports Physical Science

The coevolution of hydrogen and oxygen during photocatalytic water splitting presents a challenge for efficient product separation. Here, we demonstrate membrane-free, drop-based photocatalytic water splitting with inherent product separation and competitive production rates. Drops composed of an aqueous solution containing a mediator and photocatalysts are surrounded by perfluorinated oil made (1) by mechanical agitation of a bulk mixture or (2) within a microfluidic device. The high oxygen solubility of the oil allows for inherent trapping of oxygen while immediately releasing hydrogen. We achieve average solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies of 0.024% ± 0.001% in the conventional suspension approach, 0.016% ± 0.002% in the bulk emulsion system, and 0.046% ± 0.008% if drops are irradiated in the microfluidic device. A three orders of magnitude decrease in the residence time of photocatalysts with a 1.34 times increase in production rate is possible in the microfluidic drop approach when compared to conventional suspensions. Oxygen is trapped and easily released by heating the oil effluent at 343 K.

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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101755
Author(s)
Savant, Sangram Ashok  
De Angelis, Gaia  
Nandy, Swarnava  
Amstad, Esther  
Haussener, Sophia  
Date Issued

2023

Published in
Cell Reports Physical Science
Article Number

101755

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
LRESE  
Available on Infoscience
January 3, 2024
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/202780
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