The integration of light and electrical energy into catalysis through photocatalysis and electrocatalysis is providing groundbreaking solutions to energy and environmental challenges. Photocatalysis relies on light, typically from the sun, to excite a catalyst, leading to redox reactions that can, for example, split water into hydrogen and oxygen or break down organic pollutants. Semiconducting materials, such as titanium dioxide (TiO?), are commonly used in photocatalytic processes due to their ability to absorb photons and generate electron-hole pairs, which drive chemical transformations.
The development of more efficient photocatalysts is critical for applications in clean energy generation, especially in solar hydrogen production, which holds the potential to offer a renewable source of hydrogen fuel. On the other hand, electrocatalysis employs electricity to drive reactions that would otherwise require high temperatures or pressures. This process is central to technologies such as fuel cells, batteries, and electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals. Electrocatalysts, often made of metals like platinum, facilitate electron transfer in these reactions, but their high cost and susceptibility to degradation have spurred research into alternative, more sustainable materials. Both photocatalysis and electrocatalysis face challenges in terms of catalyst efficiency and durability.
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