(15a) Catalyzing Hydrogen Production in Water Electrolysis and Solar Photoelectrochemistry

Hydrogen is one of the most important chemicals produced across the globe, at a rate of approximately 70 billion kg/yr, used primarily for ammonia production and petroleum refining. The majority of the H₂ produced is derived from fossil resources, predominantly by steam methane reforming (SMR). Exciting opportunities exist to produce H₂ in a sustainable manner, as a means to (1) reduce its carbon footprint, (2) reduce the carbon footprint of other industries, e.g. transportation and heating, and (3) serve as long-term, grid scale storage of renewable electricity. This paper will describe recent efforts to develop catalysts and technologies for renewable H₂ production by means of water electrolysis and solar photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting. Key topics include: catalyst development for hydrogen evolution and water oxidation, with an emphasis in lower- or zero-precious metal content, integration into water electrolyzers, and integration into PEC devices.