The Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of energetic molecules converts solar energy at high efficiency. Rather than electricity, a variety of useful chemicals, including solar fuels and iron without CO2 emission, are produced by this STEP process.  A synergy of solar thermal and solar-electric and other renewable energy electronic charge transfer, forms an alternative higher efficiency solar energy conversion process. For example, STEP can split CO2 with >50% solar efficiency. The STEP approach for solar energy conversion is based on our theory and experimental observation, that even a semiconductor with  bandgap smaller than the water splitting potential (E(H2O)=1.23V at 25�C) can split water at elevated temperature. STEP generalizes the advantage of this energy conversion process to the endothermic  formation of all useful, energetic molecules,is and includes STEP cost effective production of hydrogen, iron, fuels, and carbon capture .

Solar thermal electrochemical production of energetic molecules: Efficient STEP solar water splitting, carbon capture, solar metals, fuel and bleach production

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.