A multi-stacked hyperporous silicon flake for highly active solar hydrogen production

3D multi-stacked hyperporous silicon flakes (MHSFs) are prepared via a selective chemical reduction of natural clay minerals bearing MgO negative catalyst layers. The resultant MHSFs are used as a photocatalyst for solar-driven hydrogen evolution and exhibit the highest photocatalytic acitivty (1031 μmol H2 h(-1) g(-1) Si) coupled with a Pt cocatalyst.