Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: A Compreh...

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production: A Comprehensive Review of Thermodynamic Principles and Material Engineering

Author Name : Dr. Yogesh S. Shelar, Dr. Mithlesh Tiwari, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Mr. V.Rajasekhar Reddy

ABSTRACT Light-driven water splitting presents a promising and sustainable approach for high-yield hydrogen generation, offering a clean energy alternative while mitigating the effects of global warming. This review focuses on the thermodynamic principles governing selective photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. It highlights recent advancements in photocatalyst development, the fabrication of innovative heterojunction architectures, and key factors influencing photocatalytic efficiency in dynamic H₂ production. Special emphasis is placed on strategies to enhance water-splitting performance, including Z-scheme configurations and the role of operational parameters such as band gap energy, temperature, light intensity, morphology, pH, and sacrificial agents. Furthermore, computational modeling has emerged as a powerful tool to predict excited-state electron densities and band structures of newly synthesized materials, paving the way for rational design of efficient photocatalysts. The review also explores future research directions and the potential benefits of this evolving field, underscoring its significance in the transition toward renewable energy technologies.