A Solar to Chemical Strategy: Green Hydrogen as a Means, Not an End

Diab GAA, Da Silva MAR, Rocha GFSR, Noleto LFG, Rogolino A, de Mesquita JP, Jiménez Calvo P, Teixeira IF (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Global Challenges Wiley-Blackwell

DOI: 10.1002/gch2.202300185

Abstract

Green hydrogen is the key to the chemical industry achieving net zero emissions. The chemical industry is responsible for almost 2% of all CO2 emissions, with half of it coming from the production of simple commodity chemicals, such as NH3, H2O2, methanol, and aniline. Despite electrolysis driven by renewable power sources emerging as the most promising way to supply all the green hydrogen required in the production chain of these chemicals, in this review, it is worth noting that the photocatalytic route may be underestimated and can hold a bright future for this topic. In fact, the production of H2 by photocatalysis still faces important challenges in terms of activity, engineering, and economic feasibility. However, photocatalytic systems can be tailored to directly convert sunlight and water (or other renewable proton sources) directly into chemicals, enabling a solar-to-chemical strategy. Here, a series of recent examples are presented, demonstrating that photocatalysis can be successfully employed to produce the most important commodity chemicals, especially on NH3, H2O2, and chemicals produced by reduction reactions. The replacement of fossil-derived H2 in the synthesis of these chemicals can be disruptive, essentially safeguarding the transition of the chemical industry to a low-carbon economy.

Authors with CRIS profile

Pablo Jiménez Calvo Lehrstuhl für Chemistry of thin film materials

Involved external institutions

University of Cambridge GB United Kingdom (GB) Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar) / Federal University of São Carlos BR Brazil (BR)

How to cite

APA:

Diab, G.A.A., Da Silva, M.A.R., Rocha, G.F.S.R., Noleto, L.F.G., Rogolino, A., de Mesquita, J.P.,... Teixeira, I.F. (2023). A Solar to Chemical Strategy: Green Hydrogen as a Means, Not an End. Global Challenges. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202300185

MLA:

Diab, Gabriel A. A., et al. "A Solar to Chemical Strategy: Green Hydrogen as a Means, Not an End." Global Challenges (2023).

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