Photoelectrochemical water splitting
The authors in this collection offer comprehensive and definitive summaries of important topics in photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.
Opinion
Methods for comparing the performance of energy-conversion systems for use in solar fuels and solar electricity generation
We outline the significance and advantages of different metrics used to characterize photoelectrodes for electrochemical solar energy conversion.
Interfacial band-edge energetics for solar fuels production
Theoretical and practical aspects of solid–solid and solid–liquid interfaces for photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices are discussed.
Particle suspension reactors and materials for solar-driven water splitting
Reactor and particle design considerations of particle suspension reactors for solar photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Methods of photoelectrode characterization with high spatial and temporal resolution
This article reviews computational and in situ experimental tools capable of characterizing the properties and performance of photoelectrodes used for solar fuels production with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Experimental demonstrations of spontaneous, solar-driven photoelectrochemical water splitting
Laboratory demonstrations of spontaneous photoelectrochemical solar water splitting cells are reviewed. Reported solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies are as high as 18%. Reported operational lifetimes are relatively short, with few demonstrations exceeding one week.
About this collection
Photoelectrochemical water splitting represents a promising path toward renewable and economical hydrogen generation using sunlight and water as the only inputs. The aim of this themed collection is to inform those in the photoelectrochemistry field of notable research findings, and to discuss the opportunities and key barriers to achieving this goal.
The collection consists of five articles written by experts in the field, describing the current state-of-the-art demonstrations in solar water splitting, approaches to band-structure engineering of semiconductor materials for optimized performance, characterization on small length scales and fast time scales, and efficiency definitions.