Recent progress in photoelectrochemical water splitting for solar hydrogen production

• Some promising photoelectrode materials with narrow band gaps are discussed.
• Several strategies have been introduced to improve photoelectrodes’ conversion efficiencies.
• Loading dual layer catalysts has been an effective method to enhance photoelectrodes’ stability.

A water splitting photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell can convert solar energy to hydrogen fuels directly. The challenges for practical application are to fabricate photoelectrodes with high efficiency, good durability and low cost. In this review, we focus on recent progress of some promising photoelectrode materials, including BiVO44, αα-Fe2O3, Ta3N5 photoanodes and Cu2ZnSnS4 photocathodes. Several new strategies to enhance the performance of a PEC cell, such as surface exfoliation, suppressing back reaction and loading dual-layer catalysts, are discussed.