| Abstract Scope |
The ongoing energy and environmental challenges have spurred advancements in new photocatalyst and photoelectrode developments. Recent studies aim to achieve water/air purification and the production of storable fuels/chemicals using renewable solar energy. In our lab, we have developed several new metal oxide-based photocatalysts and photoelectrodes for these purposes. Here, we showcase our latest findings on these materials. For instance, the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of TiO2 nanotube and ZnO nanopagoda array-based photoelectrodes was enhanced by surface modification with noble metal nanoparticles. An Al plate coated with a TiO2 layer exhibited significantly enhanced PEC performance after incorporating nanovoid arrays on the Al substrate and mesopores in the TiO2 layer. The performance boost in these photoelectrodes was attributed to the combined effects of localized surface plasmon resonance, type II heterojunction formation, and light confinement. |