Heterogeneous photocatalytic cleavage of water

The photocatalytic cleavage of water has become of increasing interest in recent years for the manufacture of hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy carrier. The production of H-2 using heterogeneous photocatalysts is reviewed in this feature article. Particulate or electrode heterogeneous catalysts under light irradiation can successively reduce H+ into H-2 and oxidize water to produce O-2, achieving cleavage of water (H2O -> H-2 + 1/2O(2)).