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Scalable solar-driven reforming of alcohol feedstock to H₂ using Ni/Zn₃In₂S₆ photocatalyst

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dc.contributor.authorGunawan, D.
dc.contributor.authorStern, T.
dc.contributor.authorZhang, J.
dc.contributor.authorYuwono, J.A.
dc.contributor.authorPan, J.
dc.contributor.authorLi, Q.
dc.contributor.authorYu, H.
dc.contributor.authorGunawan, M.
dc.contributor.authorHocking, R.K.
dc.contributor.authorToe, C.Y.
dc.contributor.authorScott, J.
dc.contributor.authorAmal, R.
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionCorrected by: Corrigendum to “Scalable solar-driven reforming of alcohol feedstock to H2 using Ni/Zn3In2S6 photocatalyst” [Chem. Eng. J. 513 (2025) 162965], Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 515, 1 July 2025, 163701. The authors regret that the published version of the above article contained typographical errors in the areal activity units reported in Sections 3.3 and 4. Specifically, “mol h–1 m–2” should have been written as “mmol h–1 m–2”. These errors have now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the article. We confirm that this correction does not affect the published results. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.
dc.description.abstractOrganic photoreforming represents a promising pathway for solar H₂ generation with the coproduction of valuable byproducts. However, its development has been limited by separate studies on photocatalysts or photoreactors, with little focus on cost and scalability. Here we integrate photocatalyst design, upscaled photoreactor engineering, and cost analysis for the solar-driven reforming of alcohol feedstock to H₂. The process was optimized by examining various alcohol compounds and Ni cocatalyst impact on Zn₃In₂S₆ photocatalytic activity. Strong interactions between Zn₃In₂S₆ and both aromatic benzyl alcohol substrate and Ni intensified H₂ evolution and benzaldehyde formation, achieving an apparent quantum yield of 63.8 % at 420 nm and an areal H₂ evolution activity of 278 mmol h⁻¹ m⁻² under simulated sunlight. Using the optimum conditions established in a laboratory environment, an upscaled slurry photoreactor prototype was designed and operated under natural sunlight with a 0.5 m² light receiving area. The upscaled solar-driven reforming of benzyl alcohol over Ni/ Zn₃In₂S₆ delivered a H₂ production rate of 1.67 normal L h⁻¹, corresponding to an areal H₂ evolution activity of 139 mmol h⁻¹ m⁻², with benzaldehyde as the major organic byproduct. A pathway for commercially viable large-scale solar-driven organic reforming was defined through techno-economic assessment. The findings are a crucial advancement in scaling photoreforming towards commercialization.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityDenny Gunawan, Tahlia Stern, Jiajun Zhang, Jodie A. Yuwono, Jian Pan, Qiyuan Li, Haolin Yu, Michael Gunawan, Rosalie K. Hocking, Cui Ying Toe, Jason Scott, Rose Amal
dc.identifier.citationChemical Engineering Journal, 2025; 513:162965-1-162965-12
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.cej.2025.162965
dc.identifier.issn1385-8947
dc.identifier.issn1873-3212
dc.identifier.orcidYuwono, J.A. [0000-0002-0915-0756]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/147395
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/IC200100023
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE230100032
dc.relation.granthttp://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP200102121
dc.rights© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.162965
dc.subjectOrganic photoreforming; Solar energy conversion; Hydrogen production; Photoreactor design; Techno-economic assessment
dc.titleScalable solar-driven reforming of alcohol feedstock to H₂ using Ni/Zn₃In₂S₆ photocatalyst
dc.title.alternativeScalable solar-driven reforming of alcohol feedstock to H(2) using Ni/Zn(3)In(2)S(6) photocatalyst
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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