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Marco Antonio Chaer Nascimento pp 7–18Cite as

Some recent developments in photoelectrochemical water splitting using nanostructured TiO2: a short review

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Part of the book series: Highlights in Theoretical Chemistry ((HITC,volume 4))

Abstract

Photoelectrochemical cells with TiO2 electrodes to convert sunlight and water into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen are a source of clean and renewable fuel. Despite their great potential, far-from-ideal performance and poor utilization of the solar spectrum have prevented them from becoming a widespread and practical technology. We review recent experimental work that uses dynamics measurements to study limitations of photoelectrochemical cells from a fundamental level and the use of TiO2 nanotube arrays as a superior alternative to TiO2 nanoparticles. Through a combination of nanoscale size control, doping, composite materials, and the incorporation of noble-metal nanoparticles, improved performance and light harvesting are demonstrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laser Dynamics Laboratory, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Atlanta, GA, 303332, USA

    Paul Szymanski & Mostafa A. El-Sayed

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  1. Paul Szymanski
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  2. Mostafa A. El-Sayed
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Correspondence to Mostafa A. El-Sayed .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Química Fundamental, Instituto de Química, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Fernando R. Ornellas

  2. REQUIMTE, Depart. de Química e Bioquimic, University of Porto, Faculty of Science, Porto, Portugal

    Maria João Ramos

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Dedicated to Professor Marco Antonio Chaer Nascimento and published as part of the special collection of articles celebrating his 65th birthday.

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Szymanski, P., El-Sayed, M.A. (2014). Some recent developments in photoelectrochemical water splitting using nanostructured TiO2: a short review. In: Ornellas, F., João Ramos, M. (eds) Marco Antonio Chaer Nascimento. Highlights in Theoretical Chemistry, vol 4. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41163-2_2

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