Hydrogen generation at irradiated oxide semiconductor–solution interfaces

Abstract

This review focuses on the use of inorganic oxide semiconductors for the photoassisted generation of hydrogen from water. Representative studies spanning approximately three decades are included in this review. The topics covered include a discussion of the types of water photosplitting approaches, an ideal photoelectrolysis system, an examination of why oxide semiconductors are attractive for this application, a review of both classical and more recent studies on titanium dioxide, tungsten trioxide, and other binary metal oxides, perovskites and other ternary oxides, tantalates and niobates, miscellaneous multinary oxides, semiconductor alloys and mixed semiconductor composites, and twin-photosystem configurations for water splitting.

3-D Non-UV Digital Printing of Hydrogel Microstructures by Optically Controlled Digital Electropolymerization

“…Because these phenomena are induced by the projected light, they are called optically-induced electrokinetics, which have been extensively explored for cell separation, manipulation and biomolecules concentration [25], [26]. Additionally, the generated electro-hole pairs have active redox abilities, which could induce a number of chemical reactions such as degrading pollutants and decomposing water into H 2 and O 2 [27], [28].…”

High Density n-Si/n-TiO2Core/Shell Nanowire Arrays with Enhanced Photoactivity

“…However, both need an external bias voltage to complete the water splitting since their CBMs are lower than hydrogen reduction potential by 0.2 V and 0.1V. 6 Therefore, the n/n composites have the potential for the spontaneous photoelectrolysis of water..…”

Nanoscale Effects in Water Splitting Photocatalysis

“…Photocatalysts generate hydrogen and oxygen upon exposure of a particle-water mixture to sunlight (Fig. 2a) [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Because of the total integration of components for light absorption, charge separation, and water electrolysis, PCs are nearly one order of magnitude cheaper than photoelectrochemical cells at equal efficiency [25,26].…”