Engineering Nanostructure-Interface of Photoanode Materials Toward Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation based on semiconductor materials plays an important role in the production of clean fuel and value-added chemicals. Nanostructure-interface engineering has proven to be an effective way to construct highly efficient PEC water oxidation photoanodes with good light capture, carrier transport, and water oxidation kinetics. However, from theoretical and application perspectives, the relationship between the nanostructure and interface of photoanode materials and their PEC performance remains unclear. In this review, the PEC water oxidation reaction mechanism and evaluation criteria are briefly presented. The theoretical basis and research status of the nanostructure-interface engineering on constructing high-performance PEC water oxidation photoanodes are summarized and discussed. Finally, the current challenges and the future opportunities of nanostructure-interface engineering for the PEC reactions are pointed out.

Automated summary

Nanostructure-interface engineering has been proven effective in constructing highly efficient PEC water oxidation photoanodes, but the relationship between the nanostructure and interface of photoanode materials and their PEC performance remains unclear. This review briefly presents the PEC water oxidation reaction mechanism and evaluation criteria, and summarizes the theoretical basis and research status of nanostructure-interface engineering for constructing high-performance PEC water oxidation photoanodes. Current challenges and future opportunities in nanostructure-interface engineering for PEC reactions are also discussed.