The influence of interface charge transfer between the semiconductor and cocatalyst has rarely been addressed. The concept of construction of a metallic charge transfer channel could be employed as a general strategy for photoconversion applications.

Nickel phosphide (NiP) was used as an excellent water oxidation cocatalyst for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, which could significantly promote the hole injection efficiency and suppress the back reaction of water oxidation over a Ti doped FeO photoanode.

The work function engineering of the intermediate metal plays a key role in Z-scheme photosynthetic systems.