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Engineering pathways in photocatalytic alcohol splitting: A comprehensive review
Rezvan Karimi1, Zahra Nasri1, Hossein Ghafuri1
1Novel Catalyst Research Laboratory (NCRL), Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran.
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science
|May 10, 2026
Summary
Photocatalytic alcohol splitting (PAS) efficiently produces hydrogen and valuable chemicals using solar energy. This review explores advanced material design strategies to overcome limitations in activity, selectivity, and stability for practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Photocatalysis
Background:
- Photocatalytic alcohol splitting (PAS) offers a dual function: solar-driven hydrogen production and selective alcohol oxidation.
- Current challenges include optimizing activity, selectivity, and stability due to limitations in light harvesting, charge separation, and reaction kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in material and mechanistic design for photocatalytic alcohol splitting.
- To identify unifying design principles for enhancing charge-carrier dynamics and selective bond activation.
Main Methods:
- Consolidation of recent progress in material and mechanistic design strategies.
- Emphasis on surface/bulk engineering, defect chemistry, heterojunctions, and cocatalyst integration.
- Critical assessment of structure-function relationships in PAS.
Main Results:
- Identified key strategies including surface/bulk engineering, defect chemistry, heterojunctions, and cocatalyst integration.
- Established structure-function relationships governing PAS performance.
- Highlighted design principles for optimizing charge-carrier dynamics and selectivity.
Conclusions:
- PAS is a promising technology for solar energy conversion.
- Advanced material design is crucial for overcoming current limitations.
- Further research directions aim to accelerate the transition to practical solar-to-chemical systems.
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