Recent Trends in Photoelectrochemical Energy Conversion and Related Catalytic Nanomaterials
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Development of sustainable energy sources is an urgent issue to meet growing demand in world energy consumption. Among the various types of sustainable energy, hydrogen is the most promising renewable energy source with a high energy density. The discovery of efficient catalysts represents one of the most important and challenging issues for the implementation of photoelectrochemical hydrogen production. A critical requirement for outstanding catalysts in a photoelectrochemical cell is not only an ability to boost the kinetics of a chemical reaction but also a durability against electrochemical and photo-induced degradation. Generally, precious metals, such as platinum, exhibit superior performance in these requirements; however, high cost of the precious metal is the biggest barrier to widespread commercial use. To address this critical and long-standing technical barrier, I have focused on an intense search for efficient, durable, and inexpensive alternative catalysts. My research have been concentrated on four subjects; (1) new possibilities of an atomic-scale catalyst as the efficient water splitting reaction catalyst, (2) interface control between electrode and catalysts for lower activation energies and higher current density, (3) new type of the catalytic nanomaterials for greener and more environmentally benign approach, (4) the application to the co-catalysts for the photoelectrochemical cell with high efficiency and long-term stability.