Chapter 10: Applications of Metal Oxide Layers on Particulate Photocatalysts for Water Splitting

Photocatalytic water splitting represents a promising approach for converting renewable solar energy into hydrogen energy, and the surface engineering of photocatalysts and co-catalysts is the key to developing such photocatalytic systems. Metal oxide layers are especially advantageous in this regard, for several reasons. These layers can suppress backward reactions on co-catalysts or photocatalysts, increase the hydrophilicity of photocatalyst surfaces, passivate photocatalyst surfaces, modify the redox selectivity of these materials, and protect photocatalysts from (photo)corrosion. This chapter summarizes the primary applications of metal oxide layers in photocatalytic systems, and examines various means of optimizing the associated chemical processes.