In this chapter not only complete current state-of-the-art on water oxidation/splitting reactions but also their efficiencies, capabilities and suitability from the point of view of developing efficient artificial leaves to harvest sunlight (i.e., solar energy) to meet the energy needs of the society without any back from fossil fuels has been presented and discussed. As far as, water splitting (oxidation) technology is concerned, although, certain catalytic systems, such as, molecular POMs, nano-size Co3O4 impregnated in the meso-porous SPB-15 silica, Zn/Cr based layered double hydroxides, etc., have been developed to split water with considerable efficiency with the help of certain one-electron oxidizing agents (i.e., oxidants) such as, [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (which is not only expensive but also un-stable under catalytic turnover cycles), etc., these catalysts are of little useful as on today as they cannot be integrated into any of the AP devices or leaves. On the other hand, there are certain electrocatalysts such as, cobalt phosphate, nickel-borate, nano-thin nickel/nickel oxide, p-type semiconducting cuprous oxide, etc., which were found to be more promising for performing water splitting reaction by consuming electricity generated from (sun)light. Although, these latter systems also possess certain limitations such as, instability, higher associated overpotentials, etc., they provide insights useful for designing and development of better systems to split water using renewable energy. As mentioned in the preface of the book, neither PEC reactions nor photocatalytic/photochemical reactions harvest sunlight to meet the energy needs of the society at industry with economic viability. However, the study on them can give the necessary information to develop the required electrochemical (EC) systems for the same purpose. The pros and cons of these water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) in the harvesting of solar energy (or electricity derived from sunlight) to meet the energy needs of the society have been presented in this chapter. Furthermore, need for the development of inexpensive alkaline electrolyzers and need for the development of ultra-low cost EPDM rubber based membranes and their suitability for usage in the alkaline water electrolysis have also been presented in this chapter for the first time. As on today, the best way to harvest sunlight to meet all the energy needs of every home across the globe is to utilize electricity derived from sunlight by using any of the safe solar panels to split water in alkaline electrolyzers into H2 and O2 gases, which can be again utilized in fuel cells to generate electricity as and when required on a demand basis to get electricity round the clock (RTC).

Storing of Electricity in the Form of H2 and O2 Gases by Electrolyzing Water

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发表日期：

2025年

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Ibram Ganesh

摘要

In this chapter not only complete current state-of-the-art on water oxidation/splitting reactions but also their efficiencies, capabilities and suitability from the point of view of developing efficient artificial leaves to harvest sunlight (i.e., solar energy) to meet the energy needs of the society without any back from fossil fuels has been presented and discussed. As far as, water splitting (oxidation) technology is concerned, although, certain catalytic systems, such as, molecular POMs, nano-size Co3O4 impregnated in the meso-porous SPB-15 silica, Zn/Cr based layered double hydroxides, etc., have been developed to split water with considerable efficiency with the help of certain one-electron oxidizing agents (i.e., oxidants) such as, [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (which is not only expensive but also un-stable under catalytic turnover cycles), etc., these catalysts are of little useful as on today as they cannot be integrated into any of the AP devices or leaves. On the other hand, there are certain electrocatalysts such as, cobalt phosphate, nickel-borate, nano-thin nickel/nickel oxide, p-type semiconducting cuprous oxide, etc., which were found to be more promising for performing water splitting reaction by consuming electricity generated from (sun)light. Although, these latter systems also possess certain limitations such as, instability, higher associated overpotentials, etc., they provide insights useful for designing and development of better systems to split water using renewable energy. As mentioned in the preface of the book, neither PEC reactions nor photocatalytic/photochemical reactions harvest sunlight to meet the energy needs of the society at industry with economic viability. However, the study on them can give the necessary information to develop the required electrochemical (EC) systems for the same purpose. The pros and cons of these water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) in the harvesting of solar energy (or electricity derived from sunlight) to meet the energy needs of the society have been presented in this chapter. Furthermore, need for the development of inexpensive alkaline electrolyzers and need for the development of ultra-low cost EPDM rubber based membranes and their suitability for usage in the alkaline water electrolysis have also been presented in this chapter for the first time. As on today, the best way to harvest sunlight to meet all the energy needs of every home across the globe is to utilize electricity derived from sunlight by using any of the safe solar panels to split water in alkaline electrolyzers into H2 and O2 gases, which can be again utilized in fuel cells to generate electricity as and when required on a demand basis to get electricity round the clock (RTC).