Recent Developments in the Use of Heterogeneous Semiconductor Photocatalyst Based Materials for a Visible-Light-Induced Water-Splitting System—A Brief Review

Abstract

Visible-light-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photocatalytic water splitting systems featuring heterogeneous semiconductor photocatalysts (oxynitrides, oxysulfides, organophotocatalysts) signify an environmentally friendly and promising approach for the manufacturing of renewable hydrogen fuel. Semiconducting electrode materials as the main constituents in the PEC water splitting system have substantial effects on the device’s solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency. Given the complication of the photocatalysis and photoelectrolysis methods, it is indispensable to include the different electrocatalytic materials for advancing visible-light-driven water splitting, considered a difficult challenge. Heterogeneous semiconductor-based materials with narrower bandgaps (2.5 to 1.9 eV), equivalent to the theoretical STH efficiencies ranging from 9.3% to 20.9%, are recognized as new types of photoabsorbents to engage as photoelectrodes for PEC water oxidation and have fascinated much consideration. Herein, we spotlight mainly on heterogenous semiconductor-based photoanode materials for PEC water splitting. Different heterogeneous photocatalysts based materials are emphasized in different groups, such as oxynitrides, oxysulfides, and organic solids. Lastly, the design approach and future developments regarding heterogeneous photocatalysts oxide electrodes for PEC applications and photocatalytic applications are also discussed.

Fabrication of Six Manganese Containing Polyoxometalate Modified Graphite C3N4 Nanosheets Catalysts Used to Catalyze Water Decomposition

“…Therefore, the development of a low-cost, high-efficiency method of hydrogen production from water decomposition is a research hotspot for current researchers. At present, the research on catalytic water decomposition has made progress in various fields, including organic catalysis [17], enzyme catalysis [18], inorganic semiconductor catalysis [19], coordination compound catalysis [20], etc. Each kind of catalyst has its own advantages and disadvantages.…”

A review on the visible light active modified photocatalysts for water splitting for hydrogen production

“…5 Among various navel photocatalysts for water splitting, heterojunction structured materials composed of transition metals and noble metals can be used as a modified photocatalyst to produce hydrogen from water splitting. [6][7][8] In addition, carbon nanostructured materials are fabricated in different morphologies, such as nanorod, nanosheet, and 3-dimensional geometry, and their electrochemical activity is shape-dependent. Carbon-framework nanomaterials have attracted attention for hydrogen production from photoelectrochemical water splitting because of higher electric conductivity and appropriate band gap leading to a decrease in electron-hole recombination and increasing photocurrent for water splitting.…”

Recent Trends in Graphitic Carbon Nitride-Based Binary and Ternary Heterostructured Electrodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

“…Semiconductor-based nanostructures have received significant attention in recent years for energy and environmental applications due to their cost-effective and straightforward synthesis process, and mainly they have nanograins of different sizes and different kinds of heterostructured materials [19,20]. Further, the pristine semiconductor photocatalysts have exhibited minimal PEC water splitting abilities due to their rapid reunion of charge carriers and having a lower surface area [21,22]. Thus, a combination of various semiconductor materials with different morphologies can increase the performance in the visible-light range of the solar spectrum.…”