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Limiting and realizable efficiencies of solar photolysis of water

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Abstract

A critical analysis of various schemes for the solar photolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen places ideal limits on their efficiencies. Single-bandgap schemes will have practical efficiencies of up to 10%, but the prospects of higher efficiencies from dual-bandgap schemes are encouraging.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Photochemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada

    James R. Bolton

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, USA

    Stewart J. Strickler

  3. Photoconversion Research Branch, Solar Energy Research Institute, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado, 80401, USA

    John S. Connolly

Authors
  1. James R. Bolton
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  2. Stewart J. Strickler
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  3. John S. Connolly
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Bolton, J., Strickler, S. & Connolly, J. Limiting and realizable efficiencies of solar photolysis of water. Nature 316, 495–500 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/316495a0

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