Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production
Hydrogen production via water splitting is a crucial strategy for addressing the global energy crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions. This review systematically examines water-splitting mechanisms, with a focus on photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. It provides in-depth discussio...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1603 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849730569559080960 |
|---|---|
| author | Asim Jilani Hussameldin Ibrahim |
| author_facet | Asim Jilani Hussameldin Ibrahim |
| author_sort | Asim Jilani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hydrogen production via water splitting is a crucial strategy for addressing the global energy crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions. This review systematically examines water-splitting mechanisms, with a focus on photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. It provides in-depth discussions on charge transfer, reaction kinetics, and key processes such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Various electrode synthesis techniques, including hydrothermal methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and radio frequency sputtering (RF), are reviewed for their advantages and limitations. The role of carbon-based materials such as graphene, biochar, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is also highlighted. Their exceptional conductivity, tunable band structures, and surface functionalities contribute to efficient charge separation and enhanced light absorption. Further, advancements in heterojunctions, doped systems, and hybrid composites are explored for their ability to improve photocatalytic and PEC performance by minimizing charge recombination, optimizing electronic structures, and increasing active sites for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Key challenges, including material stability, cost, scalability, and solar spectrum utilization, are critically analyzed, along with emerging strategies such as novel synthesis approaches and sustainable material development. By integrating water splitting mechanisms, electrode synthesis techniques, and advancements in carbon-based materials, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on sustainable hydrogen production, bridging previously isolated research domains. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-42e81142d85d4498b1a496c572d595fc |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-42e81142d85d4498b1a496c572d595fc2025-08-20T03:08:50ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187160310.3390/en18071603Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen ProductionAsim Jilani0Hussameldin Ibrahim1Clean Energy Technologies Research Institute (CETRI), Process Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaClean Energy Technologies Research Institute (CETRI), Process Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaHydrogen production via water splitting is a crucial strategy for addressing the global energy crisis and promoting sustainable energy solutions. This review systematically examines water-splitting mechanisms, with a focus on photocatalytic and electrochemical methods. It provides in-depth discussions on charge transfer, reaction kinetics, and key processes such as the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Various electrode synthesis techniques, including hydrothermal methods, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and radio frequency sputtering (RF), are reviewed for their advantages and limitations. The role of carbon-based materials such as graphene, biochar, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is also highlighted. Their exceptional conductivity, tunable band structures, and surface functionalities contribute to efficient charge separation and enhanced light absorption. Further, advancements in heterojunctions, doped systems, and hybrid composites are explored for their ability to improve photocatalytic and PEC performance by minimizing charge recombination, optimizing electronic structures, and increasing active sites for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. Key challenges, including material stability, cost, scalability, and solar spectrum utilization, are critically analyzed, along with emerging strategies such as novel synthesis approaches and sustainable material development. By integrating water splitting mechanisms, electrode synthesis techniques, and advancements in carbon-based materials, this review provides a comprehensive perspective on sustainable hydrogen production, bridging previously isolated research domains.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1603sustainable hydrogen productionwater splittingphotocatalyticelectrochemicalworking electrodecarbon-based material |
| spellingShingle | Asim Jilani Hussameldin Ibrahim Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production Energies sustainable hydrogen production water splitting photocatalytic electrochemical working electrode carbon-based material |
| title | Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production |
| title_full | Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production |
| title_fullStr | Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production |
| title_short | Development in Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Carbon-Based Materials: A Path to Sustainable Hydrogen Production |
| title_sort | development in photoelectrochemical water splitting using carbon based materials a path to sustainable hydrogen production |
| topic | sustainable hydrogen production water splitting photocatalytic electrochemical working electrode carbon-based material |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1603 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT asimjilani developmentinphotoelectrochemicalwatersplittingusingcarbonbasedmaterialsapathtosustainablehydrogenproduction AT hussameldinibrahim developmentinphotoelectrochemicalwatersplittingusingcarbonbasedmaterialsapathtosustainablehydrogenproduction |