Key requirements for photocatalysts and reactor architectures toward large-scale hydrogen generation

Abstract

Green hydrogen produced through photocatalytic water splitting is pivotal for achieving carbon neutrality and facilitating the transition to carbon-free energy conversion systems. Although photocatalytic systems have demonstrated high activity and operational safety at the laboratory scale, their large-scale application for practical hydrogen production remains limited by the long-term stability and performance of photocatalysts, as well as the complexity and safety concerns associated with scaling up photocatalytic reaction platforms. Meeting these requirements would establish a targeted framework for advancing photolysis technology and accelerating the transition from fundamental research to industrial-scale implementation of photocatalytic hydrogen generation. This perspective highlights the fundamental principles for improving photocatalysis and explores diverse device configurations for large-scale hydrogen production, while outlining the critical prerequisites for both photocatalytic materials and reactor architectures, thereby paving the way for future commercialization.