CeNS Bengaluru scientists build silicon photoanode device to make green hydrogen using only sunlight
On 20 June 2025, the Department of Science and Technology said scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, Karnataka developed a scalable device that splits water into green hydrogen using only solar energy.
Summary
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) said on 20 June 2025 that scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, had developed a scalable device that produces green hydrogen by splitting water using only solar energy and earth-abundant materials. The team, led by Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, designed a silicon-based photoanode with an n-i-p heterojunction of n-type TiO2, intrinsic silicon and p-type NiO layers, deposited by magnetron sputtering. The device achieved a surface photovoltage of 600 mV and ran for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with only a 4% drop in performance.
Key facts
- Institute
- CeNS, Bengaluru (autonomous institute of DST)
- Lead
- Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh
- Design
- Silicon-based photoanode, n-i-p heterojunction: n-TiO2 / intrinsic Si / p-NiO
- Method
- Magnetron sputtering
- Performance
- 600 mV photovoltage; 10+ hours with 4% drop
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Scientists from which institute developed the scalable device announced by DST on 20 June 2025 that produces green hydrogen by splitting water using only solar energy?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru
PIB (DST): Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of DST, developed the device.
The photoanode in CeNS Bengaluru's solar water-splitting device (June 2025) is based on which material, with an n-i-p heterojunction of TiO2, Si and NiO layers?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Silicon
PIB (DST): The team designed a silicon-based photoanode using an n-i-p heterojunction of n-type TiO2, intrinsic Si and p-type NiO layers.