Inorganic nanostructures for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic water splitting

The increasing human need for clean and renewable energy has stimulated research in artificial photosynthesis, and in particular water photoelectrolysis as a pathway to hydrogen fuel. Nanostructured devices are widely regarded as an opportunity to improve efficiency and lower costs, but as a detailed analysis shows, they also have considerably disadvantages. This article reviews the current state of research on nanoscale-enhanced photoelectrodes and photocatalysts for the water splitting reaction. The focus is on transition metal oxides with special emphasis of Fe(2)O(3), but nitrides and chalcogenides, and main group element compounds, including carbon nitride and silicon, are also covered. The effects of…