Thermochemical two-step water splitting cycles by monoclinic ZrO2-supported NiFe2O4 and Fe3O4 powders and ceramic foam devices

Abstract A thermochemical two-step water splitting cycle is examined for NiFe 2 O 4 and Fe 3 O 4 supported on monoclinic ZrO 2 (NiFe 2 O 4 / m -ZrO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 / m -ZrO 2 ) in order to produce hydrogen from water at a high-temperature. The evolution of oxygen and hydrogen by m -ZrO 2 -supported ferrite powders was studied, and reproducible and stoichiometric oxygen/hydrogen productions were demonstrated through a repeatable two-step reaction. Subsequently, a ceramic foam device coated with NiFe 2 O 4 / m -ZrO 2 powder was made and examined as a water splitting device by the direct irradiation of concentrated Xe-light in order to simulate solar radiation. The reaction mechanism of the two-step water splitting cycle is associated with the redox transition of ferrite/wustite on the surface of m -ZrO 2 . A hydrogen/oxygen ratio for these redox powder systems exhibited good reproducibility of approximately two throughout the repeated cycles. The foam device loaded NiFe 2 O 4 / m -ZrO 2 powder was also successful with respect to hydrogen production through 10 repeated cycles. A ferrite conversion of 24–76% was obtained over an irradiation period of 30 min.

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