Abstract
With global warming and the depletion of fossil resources, our fossil fuel-dependent society is expected to shift to one that instead uses hydrogen (H2) as a clean and renewable energy. To realize this, the photocatalytic water-splitting reaction, which produces H2 from water and solar energy through photocatalysis, has attracted much attention. However, for practical use, the functionality of water-splitting photocatalysts must be further improved to efficiently absorb visible (Vis) light, which accounts for the majority of sunlight. Considering the mechanism of water-splitting photocatalysis, researchers in the various fields must be employed in this type of study to achieve this. However, for researchers in fields other than catalytic chemistry, ceramic (semiconductor) materials chemistry, and electrochemistry to participate in this field, new reviews that summarize previous reports on water-splitting photocatalysis seem to be needed. Therefore, in this review, we summarize recent studies on the development and functionalization of Vis-light-driven water-splitting photocatalysts. Through this summary, we aim to share current technology and future challenges with readers in the various fields and help expedite the practical application of Vis-light-driven water-splitting photocatalysts.
Highlights
A For example, Pt(IMP) and Pt(PD) NPs represent Pt NPs loaded by impregnation and photodeposition, respectively. b OER, H2 evolution reaction (HER), and OWSR represent the oxygen evolution reaction, hydrogen evolution reaction, and overall water-splitting reaction, respectively. c AQY, ER, and Hg represent the apparent quantum yield, evolution rate, and mercury, respectively
(3) Controlling the particle size, chemical composition, morphology, interfacial structure, surface structure, and charge state of the cocatalyst is extremely effective at enhancing the functionality of the photocatalyst
For the practical application of Vis-light-driven water-splitting photocatalysts, much effort is expected to be devoted to the following research areas: (1) Identifying a simple synthesis method for Vis-light-driven water-splitting photocatalysts
Summary
With the increasing threat of global warming and the depletion of fossil resources, society is expected to shift to using clean and renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. A semiconductor photocatalyst with a CBM and VBM that satisfy the above conditions is not guaranteed to achieve an overall water-splitting reaction (OWSR) This is due to the following factors: (i) The high activation energy of the water-splitting reaction makes it difficult for the reaction to proceed; (ii) recombination of electrons and holes (excitons) causes the reaction to be deactivated; and (iii) generated H2 and O2 cause a reverse reaction. The OWSR can be achieved by combining two semiconductor photocatalysts, which can conduct the half-reactions of water splitting (HER and OER), and a redox couple (mediator), which can transfer excitons between them (Figure 4B) [50,51] This two-step reaction system, which imitates plant photosynthesis, is called the Z-scheme water-splitting reaction. To generate sufficient H2 to withstand market competition using water-splitting photocatalysts, and thereby realize a H2-energy society, it is essential to greatly improve the functionality of Vis-light-driven photocatalysts in the future
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