The world energy consumption is projected to be 28 TW in 2050. There is an average of 1.2×10<sup>5</sup> TW of solar energy potentially available on earth, and only 1 hour of solar energy illumination can fully address the 28 TW energy challenge. Solar energy can be harvested for direct water splitting to produce hydrogen gas through photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactions. Since Fujishima and Honda’s first experiment demonstrating direct water splitting using TiO<sub>2</sub> photoelectrode, this “holy grail” has been sought for more than three decades and is presently being intensely investigated. We present here solar energy driven water splitting reactions using kinds of nanostructured materials including surface plasmon enhanced photocatalyst and new catalytic anode materials for water electrolysis. Several enhancement configurations are developed to help address the challenges of plasmon enhanced water splitting systems, while preserving the electrochemical stability of the plasmon antenna under harsh conditions. We will also present newly-developed nanostructured electrode material to decrease the energy cost of the water splitting reaction.

Nanostructured plasmonic antenna systems and catalytic electrode materials for enhancing solar water splitting

249th National Meeting (2015)

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