AN OVERVIEW ON SEMICONDUCTOR PARTICULATE SYSTEMS FOR PHOTOPRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN

Hydrogen production from aqueous solutions using semiconductor particl es as photocatalysts has been reviewed highlighting the experimental t echniques and mechanistic aspects. Several factors which influence the hydrogen production efficiency of semiconductor particles have been c ritically analysed with specific examples from literature. Photocataly tic efficiencies of individual semiconductors such as, CdS, TiO2, WO3 have also been assessed with reference to hydrogen production in the p resence and absence of loaded metals, electron-donors/acceptors and ho le scavengers. The main focus of this overview is to provide literatur e-based information on hydrogen production reactions using semiconduct or particles in the presence of light energy. (C) 1998 International A ssociation for Hydrogen Energy.