Research Projects

The proposed research seeks to overcome key limitations in current photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting systems, which restrict their large-scale deployment for green hydrogen production. Conventional PEC devices suffer from narrow solar absorption (primarily below 700 nm), poor charge separation, and severe energy losses due to charge carrier recombination and unutilized thermal energy. Moreover, materials like BiVO₄, while cost-effective and stable, are limited by sluggish water oxidation kinetics and require external bias for sustained operation. This project is driven by the hypothesis that a thermally integrated PEC platform based on a Mo-doped BiVO₄/halide perovskite (HP) heterojunction coupled with a thermoelectric module, can significantly enhance spectral utilization, suppress recombination, and convert waste heat into additional electrical potential. The overarching goal is to develop an efficient, bias-free PEC system capable of continuous hydrogen generation with greater than 8% solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency and long-term operational stability exceeding 1000 hours. The primary scientific objectives include: (i) synthesis and optimization of Mo-doped BiVO₄ photoanodes integrated with vacancy-ordered or conventional lead-free HPs such as Cs₂AgBiBr₆ and Cs₃Bi₂Br₉, (ii) tailoring band alignment and interface engineering to form efficient type-II heterojunctions for extended light harvesting and improved charge carrier separation, (iii) incorporation of a thermoelectric–ceramic module to recover thermal energy and enhance the internal driving force for water splitting, (iv) development of a tandem device with suitable photocathodes based on layered transition metal dichalcogenides or bimetallic hydroxides, and (v) integration of energy storage units such as supercapacitors or batteries to enable continuous hydrogen production under variable light conditions. The proposed experiments will include material synthesis via solution-based and electrodeposition techniques, structural and morphological characterization (XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX), optical and thermal studies (UV–Vis, TGA/DSC, Seebeck), and electrochemical evaluation (LSV, EIS, IPCE, Mott-Schottky). A key focus will be on evaluating photocurrent density and quantifying hydrogen evolution under standard AM 1.5G illumination. The system will be optimized for spectral–thermal synergy, leveraging both photon and heat components of sunlight. This project will provide a significant advancement in PEC water splitting by demonstrating a cost-effective, scalable hybrid system that maximizes solar energy conversion. It will offer fundamental insights into thermal–electrical coupling, interface optimization, and material stability under operational conditions.