Context and Purpose
So... what's the problem?
In recent years, the availability of energy has been a huge concern globally. The fossil fuels currently used accounts for “around 66% of the world’s electrical power, and 95% of the world’s total energy demands” [1]. However, the burning of fossil fuels has proved to create air pollution and speed up the rate of global warming through greenhouse gas production. Furthermore, fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy as they take millions of years to form. Our growing demand for energy consumption depletes the reserves much faster than new ones are being formed.
Therefore, viable alternative energy solutions are urgently required to cope with the rising demands of energy and overcome environmental problems.
Oh no! What has been done to solve this problem?
Technologies have sprung to attempt to resolve this energy crisis, which includes solar energy, wind energy and nuclear energy.
A solution that has emerged is one of utilizing hydrogen to produce energy. Hydrogen is a clean source of energy, as it does not create pollution, only releasing water vapour and heat as its by-products. This is a potential source of energy that has been touted to solve the energy crisis the world is experiencing. Several researches have been devoted to this technology.
Around 95% of hydrogen produced in the US is derived from steam reforming of natural gas. This method separates hydrogen atoms from carbon atoms in methane. However, “this process does not reduce dependence on fossil fuel, and yet produces greenhouse gases”[2]. Another way would be photoelectrochemical water splitting. In this process, hydrogen is produced from water using sunlight and specialized semiconductors called photoelectrochemical materials. The semiconductor directly dissociates water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen through light energy. “Historically, the discovery of photo electrolysis of water directly into oxygen at a TiO2 electrode and hydrogen at a Pt electrode by the illumination of light greater than the band gap of TiO2 is attributed to Fujishima and Honda” [3]. However, this project is still in its early stages, though it does hold much potential to be a future source of hydrogen energy.
I see. What other problems do humanity face today?
Another problem is water pollution. Heavy metal ions can pollute water and people who consume such wastewater tend to suffer detrimental health effects. An instance would be copper toxicity which could give rise to hematemesis (vomiting of blood), severe kidney and liver problems as well as mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia. Heightened levels of Cu2+ in the body has also given rise to genetic disorders like cirrhosis in the liver, whereby liver tissue are replaced with scar, fibrosis tissues, thus causing the liver to lose its biological function. A well known example of this would be the Indian Childhood Cirrhosis. Copper in the body generates reactive oxygen species that are potentially dangerous to lipids, proteins and even DNA. As can be seen, heavy metal ions poisoning such as that of copper toxicity can be highly dangerous, threatening our supply of clean water. Hence, our fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes aims to remove Cu2+ from water. It was also chosen as the target of removal as it was a common heavy metal ion found in water and its removal from water would be highly beneficial to many people all over the world.
The project is divided into three phases – the synthesis of the nanotubes, copper adsorption to simulate heavy metal ions removal and lastly, hydrogen generation. We hope to provide more literature in the research on TiO2 concurrent ability to produce hydrogen gas and remove heavy metals from water, in hope of alleviating some of the pressing environmental concerns.
Technologies have sprung to attempt to resolve this energy crisis, which includes solar energy, wind energy and nuclear energy.
A solution that has emerged is one of utilizing hydrogen to produce energy. Hydrogen is a clean source of energy, as it does not create pollution, only releasing water vapour and heat as its by-products. This is a potential source of energy that has been touted to solve the energy crisis the world is experiencing. Several researches have been devoted to this technology.
Around 95% of hydrogen produced in the US is derived from steam reforming of natural gas. This method separates hydrogen atoms from carbon atoms in methane. However, “this process does not reduce dependence on fossil fuel, and yet produces greenhouse gases”[2]. Another way would be photoelectrochemical water splitting. In this process, hydrogen is produced from water using sunlight and specialized semiconductors called photoelectrochemical materials. The semiconductor directly dissociates water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen through light energy. “Historically, the discovery of photo electrolysis of water directly into oxygen at a TiO2 electrode and hydrogen at a Pt electrode by the illumination of light greater than the band gap of TiO2 is attributed to Fujishima and Honda” [3]. However, this project is still in its early stages, though it does hold much potential to be a future source of hydrogen energy.
I see. What other problems do humanity face today?
Another problem is water pollution. Heavy metal ions can pollute water and people who consume such wastewater tend to suffer detrimental health effects. An instance would be copper toxicity which could give rise to hematemesis (vomiting of blood), severe kidney and liver problems as well as mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia. Heightened levels of Cu2+ in the body has also given rise to genetic disorders like cirrhosis in the liver, whereby liver tissue are replaced with scar, fibrosis tissues, thus causing the liver to lose its biological function. A well known example of this would be the Indian Childhood Cirrhosis. Copper in the body generates reactive oxygen species that are potentially dangerous to lipids, proteins and even DNA. As can be seen, heavy metal ions poisoning such as that of copper toxicity can be highly dangerous, threatening our supply of clean water. Hence, our fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes aims to remove Cu2+ from water. It was also chosen as the target of removal as it was a common heavy metal ion found in water and its removal from water would be highly beneficial to many people all over the world.
The project is divided into three phases – the synthesis of the nanotubes, copper adsorption to simulate heavy metal ions removal and lastly, hydrogen generation. We hope to provide more literature in the research on TiO2 concurrent ability to produce hydrogen gas and remove heavy metals from water, in hope of alleviating some of the pressing environmental concerns.