Optical optimization considerations of a potential cell system for upscaled photoelectrochemical reactors

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dc.contributor.authorLe Baron, E.
dc.contributor.authorBĂ©rut, E.
dc.contributor.authorDisdier , A.
dc.contributor.authorVidal, F.
dc.contributor.authorO'Manachain, Ailbe
dc.contributor.funderHorizon Europe, FreeHydroCells, 101084261
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-29T13:50:02Z
dc.date.available2026-06-29T13:50:02Z
dc.date.issued2026-06-26
dc.description© 2026, the Author(s). Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.
dc.description.abstractThe need for sustainable renewable energy is urgent, and harnessing solar energy to produce green hydrogen is promising. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be stored and converted into various forms of energy. The FreeHydroCells project aims to create a novel, wireless tandem, monolithic photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell for water splitting, offering a cheap, efficient, and modular hydrogen-generating solution. However, scaling up PEC technology presents significant challenges, with performance losses occurring as systems reach industrial dimensions. Optimizing light energy capture and reducing parasitic light absorption are key to maximizing performance. This study investigates light attenuation in a monolithic PEC water-splitting system, providing guidance on material selection regarding optical properties, scalability, and cost. The assembled device was characterized using both laboratory-grade and portable spectrophotometers, showing a total transmitted flux of roughly 63%. A simple optical model underestimated the transmitted flux by 11%. The global optical efficiency of the device is estimated to be about 14%, but limited to 9% without a reflector. The study highlights substantial optical losses, approximately 33%, from the windows and electrolyte alone. These findings emphasize the importance of holistic optical design and rigorous experimental validation in developing scalable PEC systems.en
dc.description.sponsorshipThis project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement No 101084261 (FreeHydroCells). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
dc.format.extent12
dc.format.extent899499
dc.identifier.articleid021312
dc.identifier.authororcidLe Baron, E.
dc.identifier.authororcidBĂ©rut, E.
dc.identifier.authororcidDisdier , A.
dc.identifier.authororcidVidal, F.
dc.identifier.authororcidO'Manachain, Ailbe§0000-0002-9006-9890
dc.identifier.citationLe Baron, E, BĂ©rut, E, Disdier , A, Vidal, F & O'Manachain, A 2026, 'Optical optimization considerations of a potential cell system for upscaled photoelectrochemical reactors', Chemical Physics Reviews (CPR), vol. 7, no. 2, 021312, pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0321719
dc.identifier.doi10.1063/5.0321719
dc.identifier.endpage12
dc.identifier.issn2688-4070
dc.identifier.issued2
dc.identifier.journaltitleChemical Physics Reviews (CPR)
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0002-9006-9890/work/219157297
dc.identifier.startpage1
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/18977
dc.identifier.urlhttps://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=pureucc&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:001805569300001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
dc.identifier.urlhttps://pubs.aip.org/aip/cpr/article/7/2/021312/3396700/Optical-optimization-considerations-of-a-potential
dc.identifier.volume7
dc.language.isoeng
dc.subjectSDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
dc.subjectSDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
dc.subjectOptical optimization
dc.subjectPhotoelectrochemical reactors
dc.subjectElectro- and Photoelectrocatalysis
dc.subject[TyndallMicroNano]
dc.subjectScale-up
dc.titleOptical optimization considerations of a potential cell system for upscaled photoelectrochemical reactorsen
dc.typeArticle (Peer reviewed)
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