Chinese Journal of Catalysis

Chinese Journal of Catalysis

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Divulging the potential role of wide band gap semiconductors in electro and photo catalytic water splitting for green hydrogen production

Krishnan Athiraa,*, Archana K.b, Arsha A. S.b, Viswam Amrithab, Meera M. S.b   

  1. aGeneral Department (Chemistry), Govt. Polytechnic College, Punalur, Kerala, India;
    bUniversity of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695581, India
  • Received:2024-08-13 Accepted:2024-09-25
  • Contact: * E-mail: athikrishnan91@gmail.com (A. Krishnan).
  • About author:Dr. Athira Krishnan currently working as Assistant Professor at Govt. Polytechnic College, Punalur, Kollam, Kerala. She was assistant professor at Govt. College Chittur, Palakkad (2023 Jun‒2023 Aug) and at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri (2014‒2023). She has received her B.Sc (2011) & M.Sc (2013) in Chemistry with first rank, from Kerala University. She has completed her doctoral degree from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in 2020. She has ten years of research experience in the design and development of transition metal based catalytic materials and fabrication of cost-effective catalytic electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction. Her research mainly focused on developing non-precious catalytic electrodes for HER via electro and photocatalytic water splitting process. She has published ~30 journal articles (Else-vier, Wiley, ACS, RSC, Springer) and eight book chapters (Elsevier, Wiley, Springer & Bentham publications). She has contributed as a reviewer for ~20 journals (Elsevier, ACS, Springer, Wiley, RSC). She has expertise in preparing nanomaterials (0D, 1D and 2D), doped materials and composites. She has also worked with polymer composites for electro and photocatalytic hydrogen production. More than 20 B.SC/M.Sc/M.Phil submitted thesis under her guidance. Her research interest includes Electro/photocatalysis, Nanomaterials, Energy materials & corrosion science.

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Abstract: Green hydrogen is the most promising option and a two in one remedy that resolve the problem of both energy crisis and environmental pollution. Wide band gap semiconductors (WBG) (Eg >; 2 eV) are the most prominent and leading catalytic materials in both electro and photocatalytic water splitting (WSR); two sustainable methods of green hydrogen production. WBGs guarantee long life time of photo charge carriers and thereby surface availability of electrons and holes. Therefore, WBG (with appropriate VB-CB potential) along with small band gap materials or sensitizers can yield extraordinary photocatalytic system for hydrogen production under solar light. The factors such as, free energy of hydrogen adsorption (∆GH*) close to zero, high electron mobility, great thermal as well as electro chemical stability and high tunability make WBG an interesting and excellent catalyst in electrolysis too. Taking into account the current relevance and future scope, the present review article comprehends different dimensions of WBG materials as an electro/photo catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction. Herein WBG semiconductors are presented under various classes; viz. II-VI, III-V, III-VI, lanthanide oxides, transition metal based systems, carbonaceous materials and other systems such as SiC and MXenes. Catalytic properties of WBGs favorable for hydrogen production are then reviewed. A detailed analysis on relationship between band structure and activity (electro, photo and photo-electrochemical WSR) is performed. The challenges involved in these reactions as well as the direction of advancement in WBG based catalysis are also debated. By virtue of this article authors aims to guideline and promote the development of new WBG based electro/photocatalyst for HER and other applications.;

Key words: Electrocatalysis, Photocatalysis, Photoelectrocatalysis, Hydrogen evolution reaction, Hydrogen, Sustainable development