Multi-interface-induced radiant heat activation strategy: achieving solar-driven hydrogen production from formic acid

Forced convection between the reactants and the catalyst in solar-driven hydrogen production systems increases heat loss, thereby constraining the hydrogen evolution rate. To address these challenges, we proposed a multi-interface-induced radiant heat activation strategy that utilizes photothermally generated radiant heat to pre-activate reactants. This process enables the rapid interfacial vaporization of reactants and significantly enhances mass transfer. The resulting multi-interface heating system (MIH) developed achieves gradient heat utilization, combining broadband solar absorption with low thermal emittance, while ensuring precise spatiotemporal coordination between reactant supply and catalytic activity. As a result, a high hydrogen evolution rate of 242 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ is achieved under 1 sun illumination at room temperature, using formic acid (HCOOH) as a liquid hydrogen carrier. This work demonstrates an efficient, low-energy pathway for hydrogen generation and offers a promising platform for practical solar-to-hydrogen conversion under ambient conditions.