A review of renewable energy generation using modified titania for photocatalytic water splitting

Hydrogen is contemplated as a promising renewable source of energy as compared to the fast depleting fossil fuels. The splitting of water for the generation of hydrogen is a perspective approach to produce sustainable fuel. Titanium dioxide is the most commonly used catalyst, the performance of which depends upon its electronic surface structure, bandgap, and type of radiation. This review article summarizes the state of the art developments about the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide for hydrogen production from the splitting of water. Special attention has been devoted to the addition of sacrificial reagents, metal/non-metal doping ions, and composite semiconductors in titania for absorbing visible light and enhancing charge separation on a catalyst surface for efficient energy generation of hydrogen fuel from water splitting.