Innovative electrode design and catalytic enhancement for high-efficiency hydrogen production in renewable energy systems
M.A. Elazab, Amr Elbrashy, Abdelrahman T. Elgohr, Amr H. Hussein
Abstract
Given the limitations of traditional hydrogen production, This work addresses the pressing need for efficient green hydrogen production systems powered by renewable energy sources, focusing on methods to optimize production rates and energy use economically. The study introduces innovative enhancements, including nanoscale catalysts, advanced electrode designs, and voltage multipliers. The experimental direct coupling of the PV-electrolyzer system was conducted using four PV modules from the ground-based PV array at Horus University- Egypt. The experimental results underscore the effectiveness of these innovations, showing notable improvements in hydrogen production rates and energy efficiency. For instance, adding nanoparticles led to a 75% increase in hydrogen output compared to the baseline setup. At the same time, the optimized electrode design contributed to a more than twofold increase in production efficiency. The hydrogen production rate reached 0.05 kg/hr, yielding a 150% improvement over the baseline with a 5% concentration of nanoparticles at a current of 4. Faraday efficiency improved from 94% to 98.3% at higher currents, while energy efficiency decreased from 85.5% to 76.8%. Ultimately, this work paves the way for scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective hydrogen production systems that could be key in transitioning to a low-carbon energy future.