Bridging interfacial water structure and reactivity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution at TiO₂ interfaces

Bridging interfacial water structure and reactivity in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution at TiO₂ interfaces

Hydrogen (H2) evolution via photocatalytic water splitting is an environmentally friendly and sustainable technology for solar-to-chemical energy conversion. Although interfacial interactions are recognized as key determinants of photocatalytic performance, systematic experimental studies explicitly targeting the structure and reactivity of the water-catalyst interface remain limited. A major challenge lies in probing the molecular structure of interfacial water, especially under hydrogen-evolving conditions.

Weaker Water Bonds Boost Hydrogen Evolution on Titanium Dioxide

A new study shows that weaker water-TiO2 interactions and more flexible hydrogen-bond networks make interfacial water more reactive in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.