The production of hydrogen and hydrocarbons by photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction

The process of photocatalytic and/or photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting involves the use of a photoelectrochemical cell, which consists of a photoactive semiconductor material coated with a co-catalyst, typically noble metals such as e.g. Pt and Ru. When light is shone on the cell, it generates electrons and holes, which are collected by the co-catalyst and used to split the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The PEC water splitting has the potential to be an efficient and cost-effective way to produce hydrogen gas, particularly if it can be integrated into renewable energy systems that use excess energy from sources such as solar or wind to produce hydrogen. However, there are still several technical and economic challenges that need to be addressed to make this process more practical and scalable.

Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is a process that uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into useful chemicals and fuels. This process can be used to mitigate the buildup of CO₂ in the atmosphere, which is a major contributor to climate change.cIn photocatalytic CO₂ reduction, a photocatalyst, such as titanium dioxide, is used to absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy. This energy is then used to reduce CO₂ molecules into useful products such as formic acid, methanol, or even fuels such as ethanol or gasoline. The main advantage of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is that it allows for the capture and reuse of CO₂, which would otherwise contribute to the greenhouse effect. Additionally, it has the potential to provide a sustainable source of chemicals and fuels, reducing the reliance on non-renewable sources such as oil and gas. However, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction is still in its early stages of development, and there are several technical and economic challenges that need to be overcome before it can be widely adopted. This includes improving the efficiency and stability of photocatalysts, as well as developing scalable and cost-effective methods for capturing and storing CO₂.