Photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells)

Materials and energy research

Berlin

Research project investigating the effects of elevated operating pressures (1-10 bar) on photoelectrochemical cell efficiency for hydrogen production. The study combined experimental work with multiphysics modelling to optimize bubble dynamics and overall performance.

Devices that use light-powered electrodes to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Current best-performing versions achieve up to 19% energy conversion efficiency. The HZB research demonstrates that operating at 8 bar can improve efficiency by 5-10%.

Computational model developed by HZB researchers to simulate and predict photoelectrochemical cell behavior under various pressure conditions, accounting for bubble dynamics, light scattering, and electrochemical reactions.