Role of Interfaces at Nano-Architectured Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production from Water Splitting

Hydrogen has been nominated as an ideal energy carrier to replace the heavily engaged fossil fuels. Photocatalytic hydrogen production from the splitting of water is the most energy effective and environmentally preservative strategy. This chapter summarizes the basic principles of the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from the splitting of water with focus on the role of interfaces in nanostructured photocatalysts. We review the historical development of photocatalytic water splitting systems consisting of various types of heterojunctions that benefit the photogenerated charge carrier separation during photocatalytic processes. These “interfaces” are generally found in metal-semiconductor and semiconductor-semiconductor composite catalysts built upon nano-architectures made possible with recent advances in nanomaterial synthesis. The mechanisms are also discussed for the enhanced photocatalytic HER yield over the various interfaces in the composite photocatalysts.