Ultra‐Fast Mass Transfer System by ∼100% Validated Micro‐Basins for Large‐Scale Photochemical Hydrogen Production

T Ting Zhi W Wenhao Chen A Ancheng Pan (College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology) State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing P. R. China) H Haoxuan Yu K Kun Wang (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) L Lingbin Xie (Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) & Institute of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology) Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing P. R. China) J Junan Pan (School of Electronic Science and Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing P. R. China) J Jin Wang J Junjun Xue Z Zhaoxia Bi (Hexagem AB 3 , Ole römers väg 1H, SE-22363 Lund,) W Weiwei Zhao L Longlu Wang (College of Electronic and Optical Engineering and College of Flexible Electronics, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications 4 , Nanjing 210023,) B Bin Liu Q Qiang Zhao R Rong Zhang (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China) T Tao Tao

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving large‐scale, efficient, and sustainable hydrogen production via environmentally friendly photocatalysis requires not only effective mass transfer but also excellent operational stability. Conventional particulate photocatalyst systems suffer from inherent limitations in mass transfer, such as disordered charge carrier migration and uncontrolled gas bubble evolution, which collectively hinder hydrogen production efficiency. Here, we present a new mass transfer strategy for large‐scale photochemical hydrogen production, which effectively overcomes intrinsic transport limitations and enables ultra‐fast hydrogen bubble detachment by a coalescence‐induced jumping mechanism. By rationally designing a tunnel‐junction photochemical diode integrated with a micro‐basin array of metallic cocatalysts, we achieved nearly 100% activation of surface catalytic sites, thereby promoting directional charge carrier transport and rapid gas bubble evolution. This design delivers an impressive hydrogen production rate of 177.53 µmol h −1 cm −2 and an apparent quantum yield of 70.7% under 420 nm illumination. An outdoor solar‐driven photocatalytic reactor (25 cm × 25 cm) with a high hydrogen production rate was successfully demonstrated, validating the performance of a full‐scale photocatalyst system. This work demonstrates a large‐scale GaN‐based photochemical hydrogen‐production system and provides a useful structural design strategy for the future development of solar hydrogen‐generation technologies.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 1, Issue 1
Published August 03, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (16)

T

Ting Zhi

W

Wenhao Chen

A

Ancheng Pan

College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology) State Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics (LoFE) Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing P. R. China

H

Haoxuan Yu

K

Kun Wang

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

L

Lingbin Xie

Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) & Institute of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology) Nanjing University of Posts & Telecommunications Nanjing P. R. China

J

Junan Pan

School of Electronic Science and Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing P. R. China

J

Jin Wang

J

Junjun Xue

Z

Zhaoxia Bi

Hexagem AB 3 , Ole römers väg 1H, SE-22363 Lund,

W

Weiwei Zhao

L

Longlu Wang

College of Electronic and Optical Engineering and College of Flexible Electronics, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications 4 , Nanjing 210023,

B

Bin Liu

Q

Qiang Zhao

R

Rong Zhang

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China

T

Tao Tao