Heterogeneous photocatalytic cleavage of water

Abstract

The photocatalytic cleavage of water has become of increasing interest in recent years for the manufacture of hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy carrier. The production of H₂ using heterogeneous photocatalysts is reviewed in this feature article. Particulate or electrode heterogeneous catalysts under light irradiation can successively reduce H⁺ into H₂ and oxidize water to produce O₂, achieving cleavage of water (H₂O → H₂ + 1/2O₂).