Harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen from water – the photocatalytic water splitting reaction, is a promising approach for the carbon-neutrality future. This process utilizes semiconductor materials to harvest sunlight for the splitting of water into hydrogen fuel with oxygen gas generated as by-product. The solar hydrogen, as a carbon-free energy source, holds immense potential for decarbonizing industries, addressing global energy demands and mitigating environmental challenges. However, realizing practical and economical implementation demands substantial innovative technologies to overcome challenges, in particular achieving efficient solar energy harvesting ability, enhancing charge utilization, ameliorating surface reaction kinetics as well as overcoming barriers for large-scale deployment.
Professor Kazunari Domen, over 40 years of his research career, has established a new paradigm in the field of photocatalytic water splitting, bringing closer to the realization of a carbon-neutral hydrogen economy powered by sunlight and water. His research contributions emphasize the development of innovative materials and techniques that significantly advance the efficiency and scalability of solar hydrogen production, as highlighted in the article published in Chinese Journal of Catalysis (https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60152-X). This article underscores the pivotal contributions by Professor Domen in shaping the future of artificial photosynthesis, providing a strategic blueprint for achieving a sustainable energy goal.
Central to the achievements by Professor Domen is the exploration of novel photocatalytic materials, capable of capturing visible light and driving water-splitting reactions efficiently. The state-of-the-art materials including oxides, (oxy)nitrides, and oxysulfides, have redefined the possibilities in photocatalytic research and ushered the beginning of the new era in the field. Leaping forward, the team led by Professor Domen introduced new modification strategies, such as cocatalyst engineering, surface modification and construction of Z-scheme system, to achieve evolutionary performance improvement. Another hallmark of Professor Domen's research is the utilization of advanced characterization techniques, for instance the transient absorption spectroscopy and the interfacial sum-frequency generation spectroscopy, to unravel the underlying mechanisms behind photocatalytic processes. These insights have guided the strategic design of high-performance systems, seamlessly integrating core scientific principles with practical engineering solutions.
The legacy of Professor Domen lies not only in the groundbreaking development of technologies, but also the ability to translate these innovations into scalable solutions. His team revolutionizes cost-effective device fabrication techniques, culminating in the successful development of the first real-world hydrogen production panel system through photocatalytic overall water splitting under natural sunlight. The 100-square-metre panel stands as the largest solar hydrogen production unit to date. Besides marking a significant milestone, his work demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale solar-driven hydrogen production, paving the way for a clean energy future.
