Recent advances on electrocatalytic and photocatalytic seawater splitting for hydrogen evolution

Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy source, which has aroused increasing attentions. Water splitting can effectively evolve hydrogen. Since freshwater is scarce, the direct exploitation of seawater as the feedstock to produce hydrogen has become a hotspot. Such direct exploitation can lower the cost of hydrogen produce and facilitate the rational exploitation of seawater resources. Over the past few years, advanced technologies (e.g. photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis) have been introduced into seawater splitting and have showed significant potentials. In this study, representative reports on photo-electro-catalytic seawater splitting to produce hydrogen were comprehensively reviewed. Besides, advancements and defects of each process were discussed. Furthermore, recommendations for subsequent study in this research field have been proposed.