Inorganic Materials as Catalysts for Photochemical Splitting of Water

Abstract

Photochemical splitting of water into H2 and O2 using solar energy is a process of great economic and environmental interest. Since the discovery of the first water splitting system based on TiO2 and Pt in 1972 by Fujishima and Honda, over 130 inorganic materials have been discovered as catalysts for this reaction. This review discusses the known inorganic catalysts with a focus on structure–activity relationships.