Photocatalytic water splitting hydrogen production via environmental benign carbon based nanomaterials

Environmentally benign hydrogen production via photochemical and photo electrochemical processes by water splitting using carbon-based nanomaterials utilizes sunlight as the source of energy. Owing to their large surface area, pore volume, chemical and thermal stability, and favorable morphology, the carbon-based nanomaterials are quite effective in photocatalytic water splitting. The present review elucidates the photo catalytic nature of carbon materials such as graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride, and fullerenes as they have the tendency to narrow the band gap, allocate electrons, and act as semiconductors, co-catalysts, photosensitizers, and support materials. The production methods, advantages as well as shortcomings of carbon-based materials and their applications in hydrogen production are critically discussed. (c) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This review highlights the environmentally friendly hydrogen production using carbon-based nanomaterials through photochemical and photoelectrochemical processes by water splitting. Various carbon materials like graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, graphitic carbon nitride, and fullerenes are discussed for their photocatalytic properties and applications in hydrogen production. The advantages and shortcomings of these materials, along with their production methods and critical discussions, are covered in this article.