Project funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) under the “OPUS-30 (LAP)” call
Project number: 2025/59/I/ST11/01811
Total project value: 2,287,613 PLN
Total funding: 2,287,613 PLN
Project value for PORT: 1,098,000 PLN
Total funding for PORT: 1,098,000 PLN
Project leader on behalf of PORT: Dr. Min Ying Tsang
Project leader on behalf of University of Zurich: Dr. Johannes Schörgenhumer
Project Consortium:
- Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development
- University of Zurich
Hydrogen is one of the top renewable energy sources owing to the relatively high specific energy. However, more than 90% hydrogen is generated from natural gas through steam methane reformation (grey hydrogen), leading to a large carbon footprint. Green hydrogen (g-H2), produced from water splitting process via electrolysis or photocatalysis, is more sustainable and fulfil the zero emission target. However, only 2% g-H2 is generated. Photocatalytic g-H2 generation is more desirable. Yet, it still remains at the early development stage. Many studies have been conducted to improve the photocatalyst performance including the use of Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). But these materials still suffer from low g-H2 production rate, light absorption and conversion efficiency, long term stability and the costly and non-sustainable chemical system (i.e. use of co-catalysts/sacrificial agents) that limit to the proof-ofconcept stage. Furthermore, conventional optimization methods of the material composition is also time consuming and resource exhausting, hindering the development and implementation of photocatalysts.
To overcome the key drawbacks of current photocatalyst and accelerate optimization step, in collaboration with High Throughput Experimentation Laboratory from the University of Zurich, we proposed to develop a new type of high-performance photocatalyst with an effective loop of “human-designed” photocatalyst – “machine” optimization – “human” validation workflow.
Step 1 – “human-designed” photocatalyst: Photosensitized photon-upconversion lanthanide-doped titanium-based MOFs (DS-Ln/Ti-MOFs) is aimed.
Step 2 – “machine” optimization: High throughput automation system will be used to fully optimize the DS-Ln/Ti-MOFs with high reproducibility and precision, reduce resources and time consumption.
Step 3 – “human” validation: The optimized protocol from Step 2 will be validate and scale up for comprehensive photocatalytic g-H2 evolution assessment.
This three-steps workflow not only allow appropriate design and optimal usage of automation system, but also provide a continuous feedback and material validation. The combination of “human-machine” workflow advances a comprehensive and effective photocatalyst development strategy, establish essential foundation for accelerating the development of optimal photocatalysts for g-H2 generation.
