Current understanding and challenges of solar-driven hydrogen generation using polymeric photocatalysts

Wang, Yiou; Vogel, Anastasia; Sachs, Michael L.; Sprick, Reiner Sebastian; Wilbraham, Liam; Moniz, Savio J. A.; Godin, Robert; Zwijnenburg, Martijn A.; Durrant, James R.; Cooper, Andrew I.; Tang, Junwang

doi:10.1038/s41560-019-0456-5

Cited by 752 publications

(630 citation statements)

References 155 publications

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“…Conductive polymers are very interesting organic macromolecules, widely considered for the design of advanced hybrid materials with photocatalytic properties [276], thanks to their good processability, especially through solution processes [277]. Conductive polymers can provide matched band structures with other inorganic semiconductors, such as metal oxides nanostructures, reducing the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs for obtained hybrid composite photocatalysts [278,279].…”

Section: Conductive Polymers-based Hybrid Nanomaterialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photosensitive Hybrid Nanostructured Materials: The Big Challenges for Sunlight Capture

2020

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Solar radiation is becoming increasingly appreciated because of its influence on living matter and the feasibility of its application for a variety of purposes. It is an available and everlasting natural source of energy, rapidly gaining ground as a supplement and alternative to the nonrenewable energy feedstock. Actually, an increasing interest is involved in the development of efficient materials as the core of photocatalytic and photothermal processes, allowing solar energy harvesting and conversion for many technological applications, including hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, pollutants degradation, as well as organic syntheses. Particularly, photosensitive nanostructured hybrid materials synthesized coupling inorganic semiconductors with organic compounds, and polymers or carbon-based materials are attracting ever-growing research attention since their peculiar properties overcome several limitations of photocatalytic semiconductors through different approaches, including dye or charge transfer complex sensitization and heterostructures formation. The aim of this review was to describe the most promising recent advances in the field of hybrid nanostructured materials for sunlight capture and solar energy exploitation by photocatalytic processes. Beside diverse materials based on metal oxide semiconductors, emerging photoactive systems, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and hybrid perovskites, were discussed. Finally, future research opportunities and challenges associated with the design and development of highly efficient and cost-effective photosensitive nanomaterials for technological claims were outlined.

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Section: Conductive Polymers-based Hybrid Nanomaterialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photosensitive Hybrid Nanostructured Materials: The Big Challenges for Sunlight Capture

2020

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“…Thus, photocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen has been recognized as the "Holy Grail" of the renewable energy research. Up to now, various impressive photocatalyst materials have been developed for efficient and stable photocatalytic hydrogen production [134][135][136][137][138][139]. However, most of the employed photocatalysts are still .…”

Section: Hydrogen Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

2D/2D heterostructured photocatalyst: Rational design for energy and environmental applications

2020

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Two-dimensional/two-dimensional (2D/2D) hybrid nanomaterials have triggered extensive research in the photocatalytic field. The construction of emerging 2D/2D heterostructures can generate many intriguing advantages in exploring high-performance photocatalysts, mainly including preferable dimensionality design allowing large contact interface area, integrated merits of each 2D component and rapid charge separation by the heterojunction effect. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of the recent progress on the fundamental aspects, general synthesis strategies (in situ growth and ex situ assembly) of 2D/2D heterostructured photocatalysts and highlight their applications in the fields of hydrogen evolution, CO 2 reduction and removal of pollutants. Furthermore, the perspectives on the remaining challenges and future opportunities regarding the development of 2D/2D heterostructure photocatalysts are also presented.

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“…Distinct from their inorganic counterparts,organic photocatalysts are potential "600 nm-class photocatalyst" for solar fuel production. [3] There are practical reasons for stressing on the 600 nm-class photocatalysts.Except for solar driven PV-electrolysis,a ttaining at argeted 10 %S TH (solarto-hydrogen) efficiency is challenging with current set of inorganic photocatalysts that work below 600 nm. Contrarily, it was theoretically demonstrated that at andem structure of light-absorbing materials with band gaps in the range of 1.6-1.8 eV would have practical implication in achieving aS TH efficiency at > 25 %w hen optimum device design related requirements are full-filled.…”

Section: Introduction:r Ise Of Polymeric Photocatalysts For Hydrogen mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[11] Ah istorical development of polymeric photocatalysts is shown in Figure 2where the field also contains alternative classifications such as compactified polymers (e.g.Pdots) or collapsed MOFs.Interested readers are suggested to read the recently published articles cited in ref. [3] for ac omprehensive overview of the synthesis,p hysicochemical attributes and applications of organic photocatalysts.…”

Section: Introduction:r Ise Of Polymeric Photocatalysts For Hydrogen mentioning

confidence: 99%

Revisiting the Limiting Factors for Overall Water‐Splitting on Organic Photocatalysts

2020

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In pursuit of inexpensive and earth abundant photocatalysts for solar hydrogen production from water, conjugated polymers have shown potential to be a viable alternative to widely used inorganic counterparts. The photocatalytic performance of polymeric photocatalysts, however, is very poor in comparison to that of inorganic photocatalysts. Most of the organic photocatalysts are active in hydrogen production only when a sacrificial electron donor (SED) is added into the solution, and their high performances often rely on presence of noble metal co‐catalyst (e.g. Pt). For pursuing a carbon neutral and cost‐effective green hydrogen production, unassisted hydrogen production solely from water is one of the critical requirements to translate a mere bench‐top research interest into the real world applications. Although this is a generic problem for both inorganic and organic types of photocatalysts, organic photocatalysts are mostly investigated in the half‐reaction, and have so far shown limited success in hydrogen production from overall water‐splitting. To make progress, this article exclusively discusses critical factors that are limiting the overall water‐splitting in organic photocatalysts. Additionally, we also have extended the discussion to issues related to stability, accurate reporting of the hydrogen production as well as challenges to be resolved to reach 10 % STH (solar‐to‐hydrogen) conversion efficiency.

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Current understanding and challenges of solar-driven hydrogen generation using polymeric photocatalysts

Cited by 752 publications

References 155 publications

Photosensitive Hybrid Nanostructured Materials: The Big Challenges for Sunlight Capture

Photosensitive Hybrid Nanostructured Materials: The Big Challenges for Sunlight Capture

2D/2D heterostructured photocatalyst: Rational design for energy and environmental applications

Revisiting the Limiting Factors for Overall Water‐Splitting on Organic Photocatalysts

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