Rice University engineers have achieved a ground-breaking advancement in clean energy technology by developing a device capable of converting sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency. The device combines cutting-edge halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective, scalable design.

The integrated photoreactor utilises an anticorrosion barrier to insulate the semiconductor from water without hindering electron transfer. This technology achieved an impressive 20.8 per cent solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, significantly improving over previous photoelectrochemical cells.