First-principles view on photoelectrochemistry: Water-splitting as case study

Abstract

Photoelectrochemistry is truly an interdisciplinary field; a natural nexus between chemistry and physics. In short, photoelectrochemistry can be divided into three sub-processes, namely (i) the creation of electron-hole pairs by light absorption; (ii) separation/transport on the charge carriers and finally (iii) the water splitting reaction. The challenge is to understand all three processes on a microscopic scale and, perhaps even more importantly, how to combine the processes in an optimal way. This review will highlight some first-principles insights to the above sub-processes, in particular as they occur using metal oxides. Based on these insights, challenges and future directions of first-principles methods in the field of photoelectrochemistry will be discussed.