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Considerations in the Design of Materials for Solar‐Driven Fuel Production Using Metal‐Oxide Thermochemical Cycles
Author(s) -
Miller James E.,
McDaniel Anthony H.,
Allendorf Mark D.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
advanced energy materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.08
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1614-6840
pISSN - 1614-6832
DOI - 10.1002/aenm.201300469
Subject(s) - thermochemical cycle , materials science , oxide , volatility (finance) , process engineering , solar energy , biochemical engineering , catalysis , metallurgy , engineering , biochemistry , chemistry , hydrogen production , electrical engineering , economics , financial economics
With demand for energy increasing worldwide and an ever‐stronger case building for anthropogenic climate change, the need for carbon‐neutral fuels is becoming an imperative. Extensive transportation infrastructure based on liquid hydrocarbon fuels motivates development of processes using solar energy to convert CO 2 and H 2 O to fuel precursors such as synthesis gas. Here, perspectives concerning the use of solar‐driven thermochemical cycles using metal oxides to produce fuel precursors are given and, in particular, the important relationship between reactor design and material selection is discussed. Considering both a detailed thermodynamic analysis and factors such as reaction kinetics, volatility, and phase stability, an integrated analytical approach that facilitates material design is presented. These concepts are illustrated using three oxide materials currently receiving considerable attention: metal‐substituted ferrites, ceria, and doped cerias. Although none of these materials is “ideal,” the tradeoffs made in selecting any one of them are clearly indicated, providing a starting point for assessing the feasibility of alternative materials developed in the future.