Chapter 4: Nanostructured photocatalysts for solar water-splitting

Solar water-splitting is a feasible approach to convert and store solar energy in the form of chemical energy. Nanostructured materials possess particularly interesting characteristics that are desired for photocatalytic applications. By tuning the structures of photoactive materials at the nanoscale, it is possible to optimize the properties of such materials in photocatalysis. In this chapter we summarize literature research published in the years of 2011 and 2012 on nanostructured water-splitting photocatalysts. Different photocatalytic systems are discussed, including titanium dioxide, various other metal oxides and non-oxide semiconductors, composite materials as well as the photoelectrochemical cells. This chapter focuses on new developments in the field regarding how structural modifications at the nanoscale alter the properties of different photocatalytic systems.