Metal Organic Frameworks for Hydrogen production by photocatalytic overall water splitting

The decarbonation of several sectors (energy, transport, carbon intensive industries like steel or ammonia) is depending on the availability of low carbon hydrogen. However, current hydrogen production processes are mostly carbonated, and existing decarbonated processes suffer from several disadvantages (high costs, issues for coupling with intermittent electricity, etc.). The MOF2H2 project positions itself as a game changer to produce hydrogen from water through a more sustainable process: photocatalytic overall water splitting using non-noble materials.

Built upon a breakthrough discovery made by ESPCI and UPV recently patented, MOF2H2 aims to develop a world-record efficiency for sun-driven clean hydrogen production reaching 5% solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, using metal organic framework (MOF) as photocatalysts. To this end, MOF2H2 will gather 11 partners (and affiliated entities) for 42 months, including some of the best researchers in the world in their fields, for demonstrating three lab-scale photocatalysis prototypes with fine-tuned materials dedicated to hydrogen production, hence reaching TRL4.

After having a clear vision of overall specifications through WP1, a first-generation MOF will be synthetised and optimised through metal nanoparticles co-deposition in WP2, also guided by modelling and advanced characterisation from WP3. To reach even higher efficiencies, a refined MOF will be produced in WP4 following metal/ligand substitution. The MOF synthesis will be optimised and upscaled under sustainable and economically viable conditions in WP5, and followed by MOFs integration in a lab-scale demonstrator, for showing the reliability of their operation at lab-scale and their long-term performance. A complete sustainability and an economic potential assessment will be conducted in WP6. Through a tailored dissemination and communication strategy elaborated in WP7, the project is expected to have a high impact on both the academic and industrial sectors.