(6ea) Electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis for Energy Sustainability

This poster features previous and ongoing work on materials and methods for renewable energy conversion and storage using artificial photosynthesis and battery approaches. Specifically, we have demonstrated electrochemical solar-driven hydrogen evolution using Si and WSe₂ semiconductors that have been decorated with Pt catalysts. We have further developed non-noble alternatives to Pt, including Ni-Mo alloys and metal phosphides, and demonstrated their utility in functional solar hydrogen evolving devices. More recently, we have proposed and developed a unique device for solar photochemical energy storage called the "solar flow battery," which directly interfaces semiconductor absorbers with kinetically facile redox couples. This approach allows for efficient and fully integrated solar energy capture, storage, and release on demand as electricity. Finally, we have explored and validated a promising approach for flow battery electrolytes involving the use a single redox-active organic molecule to facilitate both oxidative and reductive processes. Alongside this work I will discuss plans for future research in energy conversion and storage, with an emphasis on combining the tools and insights of gas phase heterogeneous catalysis and electrocatalysis.