Low-cost, high-efficiency green hydrogen: bridging catalysis, photovoltaics, and system design by Dr. Doudou Zhang

Achieving affordable and efficient green hydrogen requires breakthroughs in catalyst design, photoelectrode engineering, and scalable manufacturing. My research focuses on developing one-step, low-cost multi-metallic catalysts for water electrolysis—including NiFeCo, NiNx, NiMoC, and bifunctional NiFe(OH)x/graphene systems—which exhibit high catalytic activity, robust stability, and promise for scale-up to 10 cm × 10 cm electrodes. Solar-powered electrolysis is recognised as an industrially viable pathway for large-scale green hydrogen production compared to traditional approaches. We further integrate these catalysts with advanced silicon photoelectrodes featuring buried p–n junctions and interface passivation layers, and extend to tandem perovskite/silicon photoelectrodes, achieving higher photovoltage and solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies. These strategies aim to bridge lab-scale innovation and real-world deployment. To advance technology readiness levels and attract industry partnerships, we employ scalable fabrication techniques such as electrodeposition. Looking ahead, we also explore coupling electrolytic hydrogen production with biowaste upgrading to further reduce costs. Our interdisciplinary approach combines catalyst optimisation, photovoltaic integration, and techno-economic analysis to advance sustainable hydrogen production from both freshwater and seawater resources. 

This talk will present recent progress, remaining challenges, and pathways to translate high-performance catalytic materials into scalable, integrated systems aligned with global carbon neutrality goals.

Biography