Hydrogen Production by Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

Abstract

The basic principle and concept for hydrogen production via water-splitting process are introduced. In particular, recent research activities and their progress in the photoelectrochemical water-splitting process are investigated. The material perspectives of semiconducting photocatalysts are considered from metal oxides, including titanium oxides, to carbon compounds and perovskites. Various structural configurations, from conventional photoanodes with metal cathodes to tandem and nanostructures, are also studied. The pros and cons of each are described in terms of light absorption, charge separation/photoexcited electron-hole pair recombinations and further solar-to-hydrogen efficiency. In this research, we attempt to provide a broad view of up-to-date research and development as well as, possibly, future directions in the photoelectrochemical water-splitting field.