Photocorrosion inhibition of sulphide‐based nanomaterials for energy production through photocatalytic water splitting

• Published in: International journal of energy research Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 634 - 666
• Main Authors: Yaseen, Sara, Tahir, Muhammad Bilal, Wattoo, Abdul Ghafar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.02.2022; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Climate change; Electronics industry; Energy; Energy shortages; Global warming; H2 evolution; Hydrogen evolution; Hydrogen production; Metal sulfides; Metals; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Photocatalysis; Photocatalysts; photocorrosion inhibition; Pollution; Solar energy; Sulfides; Sulphides; sulphide‐based photocatalyst; Water splitting; Wavelength
• ISSN: 0363-907X; 1099-114X
• DOI: 10.1002/er.7276

Summary To overcome the energy shortage and environmental pollution, sunlight is considered an ideal source to solve these problems. Photocatalyst water splitting for H2 production by using solar energy is a favourable technology to deal with the energy shortage, global warming and environmental pollution. During the last few years, sulphide‐based nanomaterial photocatalysts have attained considerable attention due to their comparatively narrow bandgap energy, show excitation in the visible region, at a wavelength of about 600 nm, and thus demonstrate high photocatalytic activities. But semiconductor photocatalysts are easy to be photocorroded due to sensitivity in visible light. The photocorrosion hinder their photocatalytic performance. In order to overcome photocorrosion effects, some modifications in the photocatalysts' surface are required, for example adjusting the metal sulphide structure, depositing anti‐photocorrosion layers or nanoparticles on the surface of semiconductors, which inhibit the photocorrosion attack and sustain the stability. In this review, we discuss progress in the structure, preparation methods, H2 evolution rate, photocorrosion inhibition and energy and environmental applications of different sulphide‐based nanomaterial photocatalysts. This study reviews the current challenges of energy crisis, environmental pollution and global warming, proposing a viable solution for these problems. Photocatalytic water splitting for H2 production is a favourable technology, but photocatalysts are poor photocorrosion inhibitors. Sulphide‐based nanomaterial photocatalysts have attained great attention due to their narrow bandgap energy and high photocatalytic activity. It is reviewed that surface modifications may require to overcome photocorrosion effects by shielding or coating with corrosion inhibitors. Here, progress in the structure development and preparation methods of sulphide‐based photocatalysts has been discussed. Moreover, effects of structural and compositional changes in photocatalysts on the H2 evaluation rate, photocorrosion inhibition and their applications in energy harvesting and environmental sustainability have also been debated.