Morphology-Governed Performance of Multi-Dimensional Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation

Abstract

In the past few decades, extensive studies have been performed to utilize the solar energy for photocatalytic water splitting; however, up to the present, the overall efficiencies reported in the literature are still unsatisfactory for commercialization. The crucial element of this challenging concept is the proper selection and design of photocatalytic material to enable significant extension of practical application perspectives. One of the important features in describing photocatalysts, although underestimated, is particle morphology. Accordingly, this review presents the advances achieved in the design of photocatalysts that are dedicated to hydrogen generation, with an emphasis on the particle morphology and its potential correlation with the overall reaction performance. The novel concept of this work—with the content presented in a clear and logical way—is based on the division into five parts according to dimensional arrangement groups of 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D, and combined systems. In this regard, it has been shown that the consideration of the discussed aspects, focusing on different types of particle morphology and their correlation with the system’s efficiency, could be a promising route for accelerating the development of photocatalytic materials oriented for solar-driven hydrogen generation. Finally, concluding remarks (additionally including the problems connected with experiments) and potential future directions of particle morphology-based design of photocatalysts for hydrogen production systems have been presented.

Novel Spinel Nanomaterials for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reactions: An Overview

“…Nanomaterials have high functionality and diverse physicochemical properties that are comprehensively related to their photocatalytic properties [34,35]. Pure and hybrid oxidebased nanomaterials have been employed as efficient photocatalysts for water splitting and can produce and store hydrogen (H 2 ) following hydrogen evolution reactions (HER).…”

Modulation of the Structure of the Conjugated Polymer TMP and the Effect of Its Structure on the Catalytic Performance of TMP–TiO2 under Visible Light: Catalyst Preparation, Performance and Mechanism

“…Second, the large π-conjugated system of CPs provides the condition of carrier delocalization migration [ 13 ]. Furthermore, the morphology [ 14 ] and electrochemical impedance [ 15 , 16 ] of CPs also affect the carrier migration efficiency, thereby affecting the photocatalytic performance. Thus, based on the above analysis, it is necessary to deeply explore the effect of CP structure on the photocatalytic performance of CP/TiO 2 hybrid photocatalysts.…”

Mechanistic Approach towards Designing Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

“…For example, harsh reaction conditions such as several hundred degrees Celsius are required to prepare them, limiting the choice of starting materials and post-functional group engineering. Therefore, new materials such as MXenes [15], metal-based materials [16][17][18], zeolites [19], polymers [20,21], and composite materials [22][23][24][25] emerged as alternative photocatalysts.…”