The effect of sunlight in hydrogen production from water electrolysis

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2017-01, Vol.42 (1), p.133-142
• Main Authors: Bidin, Noriah, Azni, Siti Radhiana, Abu Bakar, M. Azat, Johari, Abd Rahman, Abdul Munap, Daing Hanum Farhana, Salebi, M. Farizuddin, Abd. Razak, Siti Noraiza, Sahidan, Nur Syahirah, Sulaiman, Siti Nur Aqilah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrical conductivity; Hydrogen bond breaking; Hydrogen production; Residue electric field; Surface tension; Water splitting
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.11.203

Water electrolysis is the cleanest technology to gain energy because its combustion product is only water. However this technology still lack of efficiency due to its residue electric field effect. One way to overcome the problem is by utilizing sunlight. Three sets of experiments were conducted and found that by using collimated sunlight the hydrogen production enhance up to 53% higher in comparison to conventional light (31%) and dark field (16%). The polarizibilty and infinitival of the sunlight result in strengthening the electric field in the water electrolysis thus enrich the water splitting. The surface tension and the electrical conductivity were measured to validate the effect of hydrogen bond breaking. The stretching and stressing of the hydrogen bond in order to align the dipole of water parallel to the external electric field was manifested by the behaviour of surface tension. The large separation charges due to the water splitting were demonstrated via the increment of electrical conductivity. •The HP from water electrolysis was assisted by collimated sunlight source.•The rate of HP via collimated sunlight is 53% whereas in dark field only 16%.•The external electric field from sunlight overcomes the residual electric effect.•Surface tension indicates the enrichment of bond breaking of water molecule.•The electrical conductivity demonstrates the increase in charge mobility.