How semiconductor electrodes can achieve green hydrogen production

Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) have led an international collaboration to study how semiconductor materials enable the production of green hydrogen through (photo)electrochemistry. Novel atomic-level simulations and precise (spectro)electrochemical experiments reveal the basic mechanisms underlying the hydrogen evolution reaction on a prototypical titanium dioxide semiconductor and support the development of new materials for hydrogen production. The research also identified a previously unknown phenomenon in electrocatalysis: the application of an electrode potential can create local charge centers, polarons, which activate the hydrogen evolution reaction on the semiconductor surface.