A solar-driven Nb2O5-based water splitting (Nb-WS) cycle thermodynamically scrutinized and the obtained results reported in this paper. The thermodynamic analysis conducted in two phases: phase-1) equilibrium analysis and phase-2) efficiency analysis. According to the equilibrium analysis, partial thermal reduction (TR) of Nb2O5 from 0.7% up to 100% was feasible in the temperature range of 1700 K-2083 K. The obtained results further indicate that the WS reaction was favorable at any temperature below 1500 K. As per the outcomes associated to the efficiency analysis, the Q(solar-reactor-Nb-WS) and Q(solar-steam generator-Nb-WS) increased by 2321.7 kW and 87.2 k due to the rise in the T-H from 1700 K to 2083 K. This upsurge in the Q(solar-reactor-Nb-WS) and Q(solar-steam generator-Nb-WS) resulted in an upturn in the Q(solar-cycle-Nb-WS) by 2408.9 kW. The eta(solar-to-fuel-Nb-WS) also amplified from 1.9% up to 11.4% as the T-H surged from 1700 K up to 2040 K. A further rise in the T-H from 2040 K up to 2083 K does not yield any improvement in the eta(solar-to-fuel-Nb-WS). A 50% heat recuperation resulted in the attainment of the maximum hsolar-to-fuel-HR-Nb-WS equal to 15.8% at T-H=2020 K. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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