State-of-the-art progress in the use of ternary metal oxides as photoelectrode materials for water splitting and organic synthesis

Abstract

Abstract To tackle the issue of the depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental misdeeds, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and organic synthesis have been drawing increasing attention as promising environmentally friendly approaches for the production of hydrogen fuel and organics. In the past few decades, almost all possible binary metal oxide semiconductors have been investigated as photoelectrode materials for PEC applications; however, a satisfactory photoelectrode remains elusive. As a result, ternary metal oxide semiconductors have garnered worldwide attention in recent years as potential photoelectrode materials due to their unique advantages. In this review, we firstly introduced the fundamental properties and limitations of ternary metal oxide semiconductors for PEC water splitting and organic synthesis. Then, modified strategies for the performance of ternary metal oxide photoelectrodes are highlighted. Next, recent developments in the use of ternary metal oxide semiconductors as photoelectrode materials for water splitting and organic synthesis are summarized. Finally, several perspectives are presented with respect to the future outlook of PEC water splitting and organic synthesis using ternary metal oxide photoelectrodes. This review provides a systematic overview of the developing information and a referential direction for this research field.