Affiliation:
1. Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University 4–17–1 Wakasato Nagano-shi, Nagano 380-8553 Japan domen@chemsys.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp domen@shinshu-u.ac.jp
2. Office of University Professors, The University of Tokyo 2–11–16 Yayoi Bunkyo-ku Tokyo 113-8656 Japan
Abstract
Photocatalytic water splitting represents a promising approach for converting renewable solar energy into hydrogen energy, and the surface engineering of photocatalysts and co-catalysts is the key to developing such photocatalytic systems. Metal oxide layers are especially advantageous in this regard, for several reasons. These layers can suppress backward reactions on co-catalysts or photocatalysts, increase the hydrophilicity of photocatalyst surfaces, passivate photocatalyst surfaces, modify the redox selectivity of these materials, and protect photocatalysts from (photo)corrosion. This chapter summarizes the primary applications of metal oxide layers in photocatalytic systems, and examines various means of optimizing the associated chemical processes.
Publisher
The Royal Society of Chemistry