ABSTRACT Solar‐driven photocatalytic water splitting faces inherent limitations in conventional liquid–solid systems, primarily due to sluggish reaction kinetics and catalyst deactivation. An emerging alternative employs photothermally generated water vapor reacting on a dry catalyst surface, which enhances performance by improving kinetics and preserving catalyst activity. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in this photothermal vapor‐phase approach, with a focused analysis of the synergistic mechanisms between photothermal effects and photocatalysis at the vapor‐solid interface. A key contribution of this work is the proposition of a novel system design paradigm centered on a slippery catalyst surface strategy, engineered to optimize vapor transport and interfacial interactions for enhanced efficiency. The rational design principles for integrated photothermal evaporation‐catalysis systems are discussed in this context. This perspective aims to provide critical insights for the development of efficient, stable, and practical solar hydrogen generation technologies.
Yang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.