• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2008

ZnO/Zn redox cycle is the one of the promising thermochemical cycles for hydrogen production via water splitting with high temperature heat source like a concentrated solar energy. This paper reports the particle size effect of Zinc on water splitting behavior. Water splitting reaction experiments were carried out at isothermal conditions of 350 and 400$^{\circ}C$ in TGA (Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer) using four commercial Zinc powders (nano, <10 ${\mu}m$, <150 ${\mu}m$ and $150{\sim}600\;{\mu}m$ particle sizes). Before the experiments, average particle size of Zinc powders was analyzed by PSA (Particle Size Analysis). After the experiments, XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) analyses were conducted on the samples. The experimental results showed that particle size had a effect on the conversion of Zinc to ZnO. Zinc conversion was increased, as the particle size decreased. Especially, the nano size particles were aggregated and the particle's morphology changed on the surface during hydrolysis reaction.