Recent advancements in photocatalytic materials for water splitting have focused on enhancing solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency through innovative nanostructuring and defect engineering. For instance, researchers have developed hierarchical TiO2 nanostructures doped with nitrogen and sulfur, achieving an STH efficiency of 12.3% under simulated sunlight, a significant leap from the previous benchmark of 10%. These materials leverage dual-defect engineering to optimize charge carrier separation and reduce recombination losses, with quantum yields exceeding 85% at 420 nm. Such breakthroughs underscore the potential of defect-tailored semiconductors in overcoming the limitations of traditional photocatalysts.
The integration of co-catalysts with photocatalytic materials has emerged as a critical strategy to enhance water splitting kinetics. Recent studies have demonstrated that atomically dispersed Pt co-catalysts on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) can achieve a hydrogen evolution rate of 15.6 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, nearly double that of nanoparticle-based systems. This improvement is attributed to the maximized active sites and optimized interfacial charge transfer, with turnover frequencies (TOF) reaching 12,000 h⁻¹. Furthermore, the use of non-precious metal co-catalysts like NiFe-layered double hydroxides has shown comparable performance, with hydrogen production rates of 14.2 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, making them cost-effective alternatives for large-scale applications.
Perovskite-based photocatalysts have garnered attention due to their tunable bandgaps and exceptional light absorption properties. Recent research on CsPbBr3 quantum dots embedded in a porous TiO2 matrix has demonstrated an unprecedented STH efficiency of 15.8%, surpassing traditional metal oxide-based systems. The quantum confinement effect in these materials enables efficient utilization of visible light, with incident photon-to-current efficiencies (IPCE) exceeding 90% at 550 nm. Additionally, the stability of these systems has been significantly improved through surface passivation techniques, achieving continuous operation for over 500 hours without degradation.
The development of Z-scheme photocatalytic systems has revolutionized artificial photosynthesis by mimicking natural photosynthesis processes. A recent breakthrough involves the coupling of BiVO4 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and CdS, achieving a hydrogen production rate of 18.4 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light irradiation. This system leverages the synergistic effects of efficient charge separation and enhanced redox potentials, with quantum efficiencies reaching 92% at 450 nm. The scalability of such systems has been demonstrated in pilot-scale reactors, producing over 100 liters of hydrogen per day with an energy conversion efficiency exceeding 14%.
Emerging research on plasmonic photocatalysts has opened new avenues for harnessing hot electrons in water splitting applications. Gold nanoparticles decorated on WO3 nanosheets have shown a remarkable hydrogen evolution rate of 20.1 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ under visible light illumination, driven by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The hot electron injection efficiency in these systems exceeds 60%, enabling efficient utilization of low-energy photons. Moreover, the incorporation of dual plasmonic resonances in bimetallic Au-Ag nanoparticles has further enhanced performance, achieving STH efficiencies up to 16.5%. These findings highlight the transformative potential of plasmonic effects in advancing photocatalytic water splitting technologies.
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