Design of dye-sensitized TiO₂ materials for photocatalytic hydrogen production: light and shadow

Abstract Visible light-driven production of fuels and value-added chemicals is currently one the most intensely investigated research topics across various scientific disciplines, due to its potential ease World’s dependence on fossil fuels. In this perspective, we recapitulate some main features dye-sensitized photocatalytic systems aimed at solar H 2 production, focusing in particular TiO -based three-component assemblies with organic sensitizers. Relevant aspects include structural electronic properties sensitizers, nature semiconductor hydrogen evolution catalysts, role sacrificial donor effect reaction parameters rate stability. Besides presenting significant recent developments field, also analyse common practices terms experimental design, laboratory procedures data presentation, trying highlight their weaknesses suggesting possible improvements. We then conclude a short paragraph discussing future development exciting area.