Research

An Integrated Photoelectrochemical-Chemical Loop for Solar-Driven Overall Splitting of Hydrogen Sulfide

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Abstract

Abundant and toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from industry and nature has been traditionally considered a liability. However, it represents a potential resource if valuable H-2 and elemental sulfur can be simultaneously extracted through a H2S splitting reaction. Herein a photochemical-chemical loop linked by redox couples such as Fe2+/Fe3+ and I-/I-3(-) for photoelectrochemical H-2 production and H2S chemical absorption redox reactions are reported. Using functionalized Si as photoelectrodes, H2S was successfully split into elemental sulfur and H-2 with high stability and selectivity under simulated solar light. This new conceptual design will not only provide a possible route for using solar energy to convert H2S into valuable resources, but also sheds light on some challenging photochemical reactions such as CH4 activation and CO2 reduction.

Chemistry PHOTOCATALYTIC H-2 EVOLUTION VISIBLE-LIGHT IRRADIATION THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION ENERGY-CONVERSION NONTHERMAL-PLASMA LIQUID-AMMONIA Sulfur H2S Generation Suspensions H2S splitting photoelectrochemistry Carbon dioxide Conceptual design Electrochemistry Hydrogen production Hydrogen sulfide Photochemical reactions Redox reactions Solar energy Sulfur determination Chemical absorption Hydrogen generations Photo-electrochemistry Photoelectrochemicals Simulated solar light Simultaneous extractions Splitting reactions Iodine