Current perspectives in engineering of viable hybrid photocathodes for solar hydrogen generation

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical water splitting represents an attractive technological solution to harvest and then store the solar energy which is abundant but intermittent. It can be achieved by employing a photoelectrochemical cell, also called an artificial leaf. In order to construct viable photoeclectrochemical cells, efforts are being dedicated to engineer robust and efficient photocathodes for solar generation and photoanodes for solar water oxidation reaction. In this article, we discuss on the recent achievements and current perspectives in engineering of viable hybrid photocathodes. The state of the art on the design of a hybrid photocathode, its performance as well as the current understanding of its mechanistic operation will be first described. We then discuss on the technical strategies that are currently being developed to enhance the robustness and performance of a hybrid photocathode.