Renewable Energy and the Hydrogen Economy

Low temperature synthesis of BiFeO3nanoparticles with enhanced magnetization and promising photocatalytic performance in dye degradation and hydrogen evolution

“…Recently, significant amount of research is being done with a view to improving the photocatalytic activity of the multiferroic materials such as bismuth iron oxide (BiFeO 3 ) to investigate its potentiality for solar hydrogen generation [1,13]. BiFeO 3 (BFO) intrigues with its multiferroic properties being potentially applicable in energy-related problems especially for photocatalytic hydrogen production imputed to its relatively small band-gap (2.6 eV) [14][15][16][17]. It is reported that BiFeO 3 generates hydrogen at a greater amount than commercially available titania under exact parametric conditions [13].…”

Efficient Conjugated Polymer–Methyl Viologen Electron Transfer System for Controlled Photo-Driven Hydrogen Evolution

“…Developing renewable and clean energy sources based on solar energy is extremely urgent in today’s world. − Because molecular hydrogen is known as a clean fuel with high specific enthalpy, , photodriven hydrogen production has been a good strategy in solar energy utilization. − Various inorganic semiconductor-based efficient photocatalytic systems have been designed, and the attempts to achieve efficient hydrogen production from water under visible light are the most striking. In this respect, organic semiconductors exhibit good potential as photosensitizers for developing efficient photocatalytic systems because of their tunability in band gaps.…”

Design of a Unique Energy-Band Structure and Morphology in a Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst for Improved Charge Separation and Hydrogen Production

“…A photocatalytic water-splitting reaction, in which sunlight is directly converted into hydrogen, is one of the most promising and economically feasible future technologies for producing clean and renewable energy. − Such a photocatalytic production of hydrogen requires low-cost, robust, and highly efficient semiconductors, which should have good charge separation properties and that can transfer charge rapidly at the semiconductor/liquid interface, display long-term stability, possess good light-harvesting properties, and have a suitable energy band position for the desired reaction. − One of the ways to manipulate charge separation under illumination is by creating electronic junctions that facilitate charge flow in a given direction and suppress undesired recombination processes. − Despite significant progress in this field, the design of semiconductors with good electronic and catalytic properties is still considered a major challenge, and novel approaches for the production of such semiconductors are much sought after.…”