Strategies to Enhance Interfacial Spatial Charge Separation for High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Overall Water-Splitting: A Review

Abstract

Developing efficient photocatalysts for overall water-splitting (OWS) has garnered considerable attention due to their potential in renewable energy conversion and storage. Enhancing the efficiency of interfacial spatial charge separation poses a key challenge in this field, as it plays a momentous role in the photocatalytic process. In this review article, a range of strategies aimed at improving interfacial spatial charge separation in photocatalysts for realizing high-efficiency OWS are explored. To provide a comprehensive understanding, first the fundamentals of photocatalytic water-splitting are introduced and the main bottlenecks in the reaction process, along with various charge separation and transfer mechanisms are identified. Subsequently, recent advancements and efforts in designing spatial charge separation at the interfaces of 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructured photocatalysts are discussed. Finally, a summary is presented and a long-term outlook for spatial charge separation in the field of OWS is offered. By consolidating the current state-of-the-art research, this review highlights the key challenges and favorable circumstances for future advancements in the pursuit of efficient OWS.