Anchoring group regulation in semiconductor/molecular complex hybrid photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Abstract

Rational interface engineering via regulating the anchoring groups between molecular catalysts and light-absorbing semiconductors is essential and emergent to stabilize the semiconductor/molecular complex interaction and facilitate the photocarriers transport, thus realizing highly active and stable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. In this mini review, following a showcasing of the fundamental details of hybrid PEC systems containing semiconductor photoelectrodes and molecular catalysts for water splitting, the state-of-the-art progress of anchoring group regulation at semiconductor/molecular complex interface for efficient and stable PEC water splitting, as well as its effect on charge transfer kinetics, are comprehensively reviewed. Finally, potential research directions aimed at building high-efficiency hybrid PEC water splitting systems are summarized.