Heterogeneous photocatalytic cleavage of water

The photocatalytic cleavage of water has become of increasing interest in recent years for the manufacture of hydrogen, a clean and renewable energy carrier. The production of H2 using heterogeneous photocatalysts is reviewed in this feature article. Particulate or electrode heterogeneous catalysts under light irradiation can successively reduce H+ into H2 and oxidize water to produce O2, achieving cleavage of water (H2O → H2 + 1/2O2).