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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

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Published on: October 5, 2019

Photothermal-Enhanced Vapor-Phase Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Zeyu Yang^1,2, Jian Xu¹, Zhangxing Chen¹

¹School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|April 9, 2026

Summary

Photothermal vapor-phase water splitting uses water vapor on dry catalysts to overcome limitations of traditional liquid-solid systems. This approach enhances solar hydrogen production efficiency and catalyst stability.

Keywords:

hydrogen bubble mass transport resistance photothermal effect vapor–solid interface water vapor

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Published on: March 10, 2023

Area of Science:

Photocatalysis
Solar energy conversion
Materials science

Background:

Conventional solar-driven photocatalytic water splitting in liquid-solid systems suffers from slow reaction rates and catalyst degradation.
An alternative approach utilizes photothermally generated water vapor reacting on a dry catalyst surface, improving kinetics and catalyst longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in photothermal vapor-phase water splitting.
To analyze the synergistic mechanisms between photothermal effects and photocatalysis at the vapor-solid interface.
To propose a novel system design paradigm for efficient solar hydrogen generation.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of recent literature on photothermal vapor-phase water splitting.
Analysis of synergistic mechanisms at the vapor-solid interface.
Proposal of a slippery catalyst surface strategy for optimized vapor transport and interfacial interactions.

Main Results:

The photothermal vapor-phase approach demonstrates enhanced performance compared to liquid-solid systems.
Synergistic effects between photothermal heating and photocatalysis at the vapor-solid interface are crucial for efficiency.
A slippery catalyst surface strategy can optimize vapor transport and interfacial interactions.

Conclusions:

The photothermal vapor-phase water splitting strategy offers a promising pathway for efficient and stable solar hydrogen production.
Rational design principles for integrated photothermal evaporation-catalysis systems are essential for practical applications.
This perspective provides insights for developing advanced solar hydrogen generation technologies.