Hydrogen Production via Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Using Semiconductor Composite Photoelectrodes

Abstract

The growing demand for clean and sustainable energy has intensified research into hydrogen production technologies capable of reducing dependency on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates hydrogen production via photoelectrochemical water splitting using semiconductor composite photoelectrodes under varying operational and illumination conditions. The proposed system integrates advanced semiconductor materials with engineered composite photoelectrode architectures to enhance solar energy absorption, charge separation efficiency, and photocatalytic water splitting performance. A comprehensive experimental and analytical investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of semiconductor composition, photoelectrode morphology, light intensity, electrolyte concentration, applied bias potential, and operating temperature on hydrogen evolution efficiency and system stability. Advanced characterization techniques confirmed improved optical absorption, enhanced charge carrier transport, and reduced electron-hole recombination within the composite photoelectrode structures. Performance evaluation demonstrated significant improvements in photocurrent density, hydrogen generation rate, and solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency compared to conventional single-semiconductor photoelectrode systems. The composite photoelectrodes also exhibited enhanced thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and long-term operational durability during continuous water splitting processes. Comparative analysis revealed that optimized heterojunction formation and nanostructured surface engineering substantially improve photocatalytic activity and energy conversion performance.