Exploring Carbon Nitride-Based Materials for Photoreforming Biomass Aqueous Solutions into Hydrogen

Nilesh Manwar^a, Zdenek Sofer^b, Juan Carlos Colmenares^a

^aInstitute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland

^bDepartment of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic, Czech Republic

Proceedings of The Future of Hydrogen: Science, Applications and Energy Transition (H2Future)

Ibiza, Spain, 2024 April 17th - 19th

Organizers: Carolina Gimbert Suriñach, Sixto Gimenez Julia and Emilio Palomares

Oral, Nilesh Manwar, presentation 010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.hfuture.2024.010
Publication date: 27th February 2024

The demand for clean and sustainable energy resources, such as hydrogen and CO2-to-solar fuels, is intensifying to decarbonize future global energy demands. This trend has sparked interest in utilizing renewable hydrogen production methods. Among various approaches, biomass photo-reforming using carbon nitride (CN)-based materials has emerged as a promising avenue due to its potential for efficient and environmentally friendly hydrogen generation.[1] The present study investigates the potential application of CN-based materials as catalysts for biomass photo-reforming to hydrogen, aiming to elucidate their catalytic performance, mechanism, and practical implementation.

Carbon nitrides possess essential properties such as low cost, chemical stability, and tuneable electronic structure, along with N-rich active sites, making them attractive catalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production. Harnessing the unique properties of two-dimensional carbon nitride, researchers have developed innovative approaches to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of the photo-reforming process.[2], [3] Surface modification strategies including heteroatom doping and hybridization with other materials have been employed to tailor the catalytic activity and enhance the stability of CN-based materials for biomass conversion.

Experimental details have demonstrated the effectiveness of CN-based materials in promoting the photoreforming of various biomass aqueous solutions, including sugars, alcohols, and organic acids, into hydrogen gas. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms and kinetics of the photo-reforming process, researchers have gained insights into CN-based catalysts' role in facilitating hydrogen generation from biomass-derived precursors.

Efforts have also been directed toward optimizing the operating conditions and reactor configurations to maximize the hydrogen production yield while minimizing energy consumption and environmental impact. Integrating CN-based photocatalysts into advanced reactor designs, such as photo-flow-reactor systems, holds promise for scalable and sustainable hydrogen production from biomass aqueous solutions.

In conclusion, using CN-based materials for photo-reforming biomass aqueous solutions into hydrogen represents a promising approach toward achieving carbon-neutral energy conversion. Continued research and development in this field are essential to further enhance the efficiency, stability, and practical viability of CN-based photocatalytic systems for biomass-to-hydrogen conversion, contributing to the transition towards a clean and sustainable energy future.

Keywords: Carbon nitride, Biomass, Photoreforming, Hydrogen Production, Renewable Energy

References:

[1] E. I. García-López, L. Palmisano, and G. Marcì, “Overview on Photoreforming of Biomass Aqueous Solutions to Generate H2 in the Presence of g-C3N4-Based Materials,” ChemEngineering, vol. 7, no. 1, 2023

[2] N. Skillen et al., Photocatalytic Reforming of Biomass: What Role Will the Technology Play in Future Energy Systems, vol. 380, no. 5. Springer International Publishing, 2022

[3] J. Ma et al., “Recent Advances and Challenges in Photoreforming of Biomass-Derived Feedstocks into Hydrogen, Biofuels, or Chemicals by Using Functional Carbon Nitride Photocatalysts,” ChemSusChem, vol. 14, no. 22, pp. 4903–4922, 2021

Acknowledgements:

Nilesh Manwar is thankful to PASIFIC postdoctoral funding received from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 847639 and from the Ministry of Education and Science

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