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April 10, 2026Energy & environment materials2 citationsOpen Access

Single Atom‐Modified TiO 2 ‐Based Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Future Prospects

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ZZZ. ZhaoCLCheryl Suwen LawASAbel Santos

Key Points

  • The central aim is to explore the advancements in titanium dioxide (TiO2) based photoelectrocatalysts by modifying them with single-atom catalysts.
  • Overview of fundamental principles of single-atom catalysis.
  • Discussion on metal selection strategies including noble and nonnoble metals.
  • Examination of fabrication methods and modification of TiO2 structures.
  • Analysis of characterization techniques to understand the mechanisms of these systems.
  • Highlighted limitations of TiO2-based systems include low metal loading and aggregation of single atoms.
  • Summarized the performance of SACs-modified TiO2 in hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions.
  • Outlined future strategies combining dual-single atoms and high entropy alloys to enhance photocatalyst performance.

Abstract

The accelerating demand for green hydrogen has intensified the development of efficient and durable photoelectrocatalysts (PECs) for sustainable water splitting. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is a benchmark semiconductor for PEC because of its chemical stability, low cost, and highly tunable properties. However, its wide bandgap and slow charge transport limit its solar‐to‐hydrogen energy conversion efficiency. Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) provide transformative opportunities to overcome these intrinsic limitations. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SACs‐modified TiO 2 ‐based PECs, including i) fundamental principles of single‐atom catalysis; ii) rational design strategies through metal selection via noble and nonnoble metals, fabrication methods and structural engineering by modification of morphology of TiO 2 structures such as nanotubes, nanowires, nanofilms and metal organic frameworks, and facets engineering; and iii) advanced characterization techniques—critical to gain insights into mechanisms involved in these platforms. Hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions driven by SACs‐modified TiO 2 ‐based PECs are summarized. The limitations of these systems such as low metal loading, single‐atom aggregation under operating conditions, and insufficient active sites are discussed. We also provide an outlook on future developments combining dual‐single atoms and high entropy alloys in TiO 2 ‐based PECs, as promising pathways to synergistically integrate activity, stability, and atomic economy. This review provides a valuable framework for designing the next generation TiO 2 ‐based PECs for sustainable PEC water splitting.

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Cite This Study

Zhao et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d895be6c1944d70ce06cf8https://doi.org/10.1002/eem2.70353
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