Issue 39, 2024

Recent advances in developing nanoscale electro-/photocatalysts for hydrogen production: modification strategies, charge-carrier characterizations, and applications

Abstract

For clean hydrogen (H2) production, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis are widely regarded as promising technologies to counter the increasing energy crisis. However, developing applicable catalysts with high H2 production performances still poses a challenge. In this review, state-of-the-art nanoscale electrocatalysts for water electrolysis and photocatalysts for water splitting, tailored for different reaction environments, including acidic electrolytes, alkaline electrolytes, pure water, seawater, and hydrohalic acids, are systematically presented. In particular, modification approaches such as doping, morphology control, heterojunction/homojunction construction, as well as the integration of cocatalysts and single atoms for efficient charge transfer and separation are examined. Furthermore, the unique properties of these upgraded catalysts and the mechanisms of promoted H2 production are also analyzed by elucidating the charge carrier dynamics revealed by photophysical and photoelectrochemical characterization methods. Finally, perspectives and outlooks on future developments for H2 production using advanced electrocatalysts and photocatalysts are proposed.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in developing nanoscale electro-/photocatalysts for hydrogen production: modification strategies, charge-carrier characterizations, and applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
18 Mar 2024
Accepted
13 Aug 2024
First published
23 Aug 2024

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 18213-18250

Recent advances in developing nanoscale electro-/photocatalysts for hydrogen production: modification strategies, charge-carrier characterizations, and applications

M. Jamesh, H. Tong, S. P. Santoso, W. Niu, J. Kai, C. Hsieh, K. Cheng, F. Li, B. Han, J. C. Colmenares and H. Hsu, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 18213 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR01178C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements