Advances in photothermal catalysts for solar-driven hydrogen production

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a pivotal energy storage solution and a transformative alternative to conventional energy sources. This review summarizes the evolving landscape of global H₂ production and consumption markets, focusing on the crucial role of photothermal catalysts (PTCs) in driving Hydrogen evolution reactions (HER), particularly with regards to oxide, selenide, and telluride-based PTCs. Within this exploration, the mechanisms of PTCs take center stage, elucidating the intricacies of light absorption, localized heating, and catalytic activation. Essential optimization parameters, ranging from temperature and irradiance to catalyst composition and pH, are detailed for their paramount role in enhancing catalytic efficiency. This work comprehensively explores photothermal catalysts (PTCs) for hydrogen production by assessing their synthesis techniques and highlighting the current research gaps, particularly in optimizing catalytic stability, light absorption, and scalability. The energy-efficient nature of oxide, selenide, and telluride-based PTCs makes them prime candidates for sustainable H2 production when compared to traditional materials. By analyzing a range of materials, we summarize key performance metrics, including hydrogen evolution rates ranging from 0.47 mmolh⁻¹g⁻¹ for Ti@TiO₂ to 22.50 mmolh⁻¹g⁻¹ for Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S/NiSe₂. The review concludes with a strategic roadmap aimed at enhancing PTC performance to meet the growing demand for renewable hydrogen as well as a critical literature review, addressing challenges and prospects in deploying PTCs.