Surface Engineering of Nanomaterials for Photo ‐Electrochemical Water Splitting

Rational engineering of the surface features and properties of nanostructured photoelectrode materials can fundamentally tune their performance for photo ‐electrochemical water splitting. Here, the surface engineering methods, including morphology, crystal facet, reconstruction, defect, and doping engineering, as well as the surface sensitization, plasmon resonance, protective layer and catalytic layer are summarized. Their functions and performanc e advantages are highlighted and compared. AbstractPhoto ‐electrochemical water splitting represents a green and environmentally friendly method for producing solar hydrogen. Semiconductor nanomaterials with a highly accessible surface area, reduced charge migration distance, and tunable optical and electronic property are regarded as promising electrod e materials to carry out this solar‐to‐hydrogen process. Since most of the photo‐electrochemical reactions take place on the electrode surface or near‐surface region, rational engineering of the surface structures, physical properties, and chemical nature of photoelectrode materials could fu ndamentally change their performance. Here, the recent advances in surface engineering methods, including the modification of the nanomaterial surface morphology, crystal facet, defect and doping concentrations, as well as the deposition of a functional overlayer of sensitizers, plasmonic metallic s tructures, and protective and catalytic materials are highlighted. Each surface engin...
Source: Small - Category: Nanotechnology Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research