Abstract: Photocatalysts for water-splitting to produce hydrogen and oxygen, methods of making and uses thereof are described. The photocatalyst has a catalytic non-oxide metal semiconductor nanostructure attached to a zero valence metal (M?) support. Thecatalyst is capable of catalyzing the production of hydrogen and oxygen from water.

Abstract: Systems and processes for the production of hydrogen (H2) gas and oxygen (O2) gas from an aqueous electrolyte solution are described. A water-splitting system can include a reactor that includes H2 and O2 generating chambers that can be separate chambers but are not separated by a H2 and/or O2 gas permeable material. The H2 generating chamber can include a cathode and at least a first fluid inlet. The O2 generating chamber can include an anode in electrical communication with the cathode and at least a first fluid inlet. The first and second fluid inlets can each be configured to receive a purged electrolyte solution, a purge gas, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Photocatalysts and methods of using the same for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water are disclosed. The photocatalysts include photoactive titanium dioxide loaded with 0.5 wt. % to 4 wt. % of a hole-scavenging material comprising cobalt oxide and 0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. % of palladium (Pd) and/or a Pd—Co alloy.

Abstract: Photoactive catalyst and methods of producing H2 by photocatalytic water splitting. The photoactive catalyst includes an upconverting material, a photocatalyst material, and plasmonic metal nanostructures deposited on the surface of the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is not embedded in or coated by the photocatalyst material. The upconverting material is capable of emitting light at a first wavelength that has an energy equal to or higher than the band gap of the photocatalyst material and at a second wavelength that can be absorbed by the plasmonic metal nanostructures.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to a water splitting photo electrochemical (PEC) thin film comprising metal nanostructures positioned between a CdxZn1?xS semiconductor and a ZnO semiconductor to form a Z-scheme for total water splitting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to Z-scheme photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen generation from water. The Z-scheme photocatalyst can include a hybrid metal that includes a semiconductor material/M1/CdxM1?xS material. M1 can be transition metal and M can Zn, Fe, Cu, Sn, Mo, Ag, Pb and Ni.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing stable highly active catalysts for use in production of hydrogen from water.

Abstract: Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts and uses thereof are described. An OER catalyst can include a carbon support, a discontinuous catalytic cobalt (II,III) oxide (Co3O4) nanolayer in direct contact with the carbon support, and an amorphous continuous carbon layer. The Co3O4 nanolayer is positioned between the carbon support and an amorphous continuous carbon layer.

Abstract: Photo-thermal catalysts and methods of use are described. The photo-thermal catalyst can include a photo-active metal oxide and, optionally, a plasmon resonance material. The photo-thermal catalyst has a temperature of 150° C. to 400° C. and is in contact with electromagnetic radiation. The photo-thermal catalyst can be used in a photo-thermal method to generate hydrogen from alcohols.

Abstract: Photocatalysts and methods of using the same for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water are disclosed. The photocatalysts include a photoactive layer having a thickness of 10 nanometers (nm) to 1000 nm and a plasmonic metal layer having a thickness of 2 nm to 20 nm and having surface plasmon resonance properties in response to ultra-violet and/or visible light, wherein the plasmonic metal layer is positioned proximal to the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A method of transferring a single metal atom from a first location to a second location on the surface of a metal oxide is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a material having a first metal atom deposited on a first oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide and transferring the first metal atom of the metal on the first oxygen atom vacancy to a second location on the metal oxide by applying a voltage to the first metal atom. The second location can be a second metal atom on a second oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide, where the first and second metal atoms form a first metal atom-second metal atom species, or a metal atom of the metal oxide, where the first metal atom and the metal atom of the metal oxide forms a first metal atom-metal atom of the metal oxide species.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-splitting photocatalyst, and methods for its use, that includes a photoactive semi-conductive layer, an up-converting material capable of converting infrared (IR) light to visible light and/or ultraviolet (UV) light, and a metal or metal alloy material having surface plasmon resonance properties in response to IR light and/or visible light, wherein the photoactive semi-conductive layer encompasses at least a portion of the up-converting material and the metal or metal alloy material.

Abstract: Metal oxides having a lower activation temperature and enhanced oxygen mobility are disclosed. The metal oxides comprise oxygen (O), cerium (Ce) and one or both of iron (Fe) and uranium (U). Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrogen or carbon monoxide from water or carbon dioxide using the metal oxides.

Abstract: Photocatalysts and methods of using photocatalysts for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water are disclosed. The photocatalysts include an iodide modified photoactive material having an electrically conductive material attached to the iodide ions.

Abstract: A method of transferring a single metal atom from a first location to a second location on the surface of a metal oxide is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a material having a first metal atom deposited on a first oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide and transferring the first metal atom of the metal on the first oxygen atom vacancy to a second location on the metal oxide by applying a voltage to the first metal atom. The second location can be a second metal atom on a second oxygen atom vacancy of the metal oxide, where the first and second metal atoms form a first metal atom second metal atom species, or a metal atom of the metal oxide, where the first metal atom and the metal atom of the metal oxide forms a first metal atom metal atom of the metal oxide species.

Abstract: A photocatalyst and a method for producing hydrogen and oxygen from water by photocatalytic electrolysis are disclosed. The photocatalyst includes a photoactive material and metal or metal alloy material (15)—e.g. pure particles or alloys of Au, Pd and Ag—capable of having plasmon resonance properties deposited on the surface of the photoactive material. The photoactive material includes a p-n junction (17) formed by contact of a n-type semiconductor material (10), such as mixed phase TiO2 nano particles (anatase to rutile ratio of 1.5 to 1 or greater), and a p-type semiconductor material (16), such as CoO or Cu2O.

Abstract: Some of the present reactors and systems include a reactor body having a substantially-planar bottom and one or more sidewalls extending from the bottom to define a recess, the reactor body defining inlet(s) and outlet(s) for liquid and gas, and a lid configured to be coupled to the reactor body to cover the recess such that the interface between the reactor body and the lid is substantially sealed, where at least one of the reactor body and the lid is configured to transmit incident ultraviolet light into the recess, and where the reactor body is configured to receive a photocatalyst in the recess such that at least a portion of liquid delivered to the recess through the liquid inlet(s) can react with the photocatalyst in the presence of the ultraviolet light to generate gas. Some reactors and systems include liquid and gas circulation systems having pumps and conduits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photocatalyst, and methods for its use, that includes a photoactive material comprising a photonic band gap and an electronic band gap, wherein the photonic band gap at least partially overlaps with the electronic band gap, and an electrically conductive material deposited on the photoactive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing stable highly active catalysts for use in production of hydrogen from water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for the thermochemical generation of hydrogen from water and/or the thermochemical generation of carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide comprising a solid solution of cerium dioxide and uranium dioxide.