Z-Scheme Water Splitting Using Two Different Semiconductor Photocatalysts

Water splitting on illuminated semiconductors has long been studied as a potential means of converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of H2, a clean and renewable energy carrier. Photocatalytic water splitting through two-step photoexcitation using two different semiconductor powders and a reversible donor/acceptor pair (so-called shuttle redox mediator) is one of the possible forms of artificial photosynthesis. This system was inspired by natural photosynthesis in green plants and is called the “Z-scheme”. The development of Z-scheme water splitting systems has relied on both finding a new semiconductor photocatalyst that efficiently works in the presence of a shuttle redox mediator and…

• NS
  Nippon Sheet Glass Foundation for Materials Science and Engineering
• PR
  Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology