PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN FROM WASTEWATER

A photoelectrochemical system may be utilized for processing of wastewater to hydrogen. For example, a method for hydrogen production from wastewater may include: providing a photocathode electrically connected by a wire to a photocatalyst, where both the photocathode and the photocatalyst are at least partially immersed in an electrolyte solution that comprises an aqueous fluid having wastewater at least partially dissolved therein; illuminating the photocathode with first light thereby causing the photocathode to generate a first plurality of electron-electron hole pairs, wherein the photocathode comprises a silicon-based heterojunction; illuminating a photocatalyst with second light thereby causing the photocathode to generate a second plurality of electron-electron hole pairs, wherein the photocatalyst comprises a semiconductor; and photochemically converting the wastewater to hydrogen gas and oxygen.