A review on the recent developments in zirconium and carbon-based catalysts for photoelectrochemical water-splitting

In the recent years, considerable interest in the development of clean and renewable alternative energy resources has been observed to overcome the problems of dwindling fossil reserves, environmental pollution and increasing energy demand for a sustainable future. In this respect, hydrogen is considered a sustainable, clean, and energy-rich fuel. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting is deemed to be a very promising technology hydrogen production. A number of research endeavors have been dedicated to develop efficient catalysts for this process. An optimum photoelectrocatalyst drives down the energy needed for the disassociation of water by lowering the overpotential of the process and make it competent for commercial applications. Recently, a lot of Zirconium (Zr) and Carbon (C) based compounds have been analyzed for PEC water-splitting. This review article intends to offer insight and timely reference for the progress on Zr and C based catalyst for practical PEC water-splitting in a comprehensive and concise manner. With emphasis on the photoelectrochemical performance, relative design strategies and different approaches to improve or optimize the photoelectrocatalyst materials with Zr and C are discussed. Research approach and recommendations for future PEC water-splitting are also proposed.