Hydrogen production via water electrolysis process using (ZnO, Al2O3 and MnO2) assisted with solar energy

Abstract

Hydrogen production by water electrolysis using renewable energies with the addition of some metal oxides as photocatalyst are an alternative solution to problems related to the use of fossil fuels. In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to test the effect of some factors influencing hydrogen production rates and water electrolysis performance, namely. Nature and concentration of metal oxides, when we use three metal oxides (ZnO, Al2O3 and MnO2) as photocatalyst materials in water electrolysis process assisted with solar energy, was carried out at Ouargla University (Algeria). The results showed that 10g/l of MnO2 with a concentration of 30g/l KOH as an electrolyte, increases hydrogen generation by 30% compared with the yields of conventionel electrolyser. These results are encouraging to develop research and contribute to future challenges in this field, especially on practical operation.