This book gathers selected research on the preparation, characterization and application of new organic/inorganic composites endowed with photo(electro)catalytic properties for the photocatalytic production of H2. In these pilot studies, the photoactive materials were tested under either UV-visible or, even more conveniently, under visible light for H2 evolution in “sacrificial water splitting” or “photoreforming” systems. In addition, a review article on the use of 2D materials and composites as potential photocatalysts for water splitting is included.

Energy crises and global warming pose serious challenges to researchers in their attempt to develop a sustainable society for the future. Solar energy conversion is a remarkable, clean, and sustainable way to nullify the effects of fossil fuels. The findings of photocatalytic hydrogen production (PCHP) by Fujishima and Honda propose that “water will be the coal for the future”. Hydrogen is a carbon-free clean fuel with a high specific energy of combustion. Titanium oxide (TiO2), graphitic-carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) are three pillars of water splitting photocatalysts owing to their superior electronic and optical properties. Tremendous research efforts have been made in recent years to fabricate visible or solar-light, active photocatalysts. The significant features of various oxide, sulfide, and carbon based photocatalysts for cost-effective hydrogen production are presented in this Special Issue. The insights of sacrificial agents on the hydrogen production efficiency of catalysts are also presented in this issue.

Readers will find a multidisciplinary approach elucidating all the important features of green hydrogen so that science researchers and energy engineers as well as those in economics, political science and international relations, will also find value. Energy sources and generation is the foremost concern of all governments, NGOs, and activist groups. With Green New Deals and reduced or net zero emission goals being implemented on a global scale, the quest for economic, scalable, efficient, and sustainable energy systems has reached a fever pitch. No one energy source ticks all the boxes and new energy technologies are being developed all the time as potential disruptors. Enter green hydrogen with zero emissions. Hydrogen is a rare gas in nature and is often found together with natural gas. While hydrogen is the most abundant element in the known universe, molecular hydrogen is very rare in nature and needs to be produced—and produced in large quantities, if we are serious about the Green Deal. This book has been organized into three parts to introduce and discuss these crucial topics. Part I discusses the Green Deal and the current state and challenges encountered in the industrialization of green hydrogen production, as well as related politics. Chapters in this section include how to decarbonize the energy industry with green hydrogen, and one that describes a gradual shift in the approach of hydrogen production technologies from non-renewable to renewable. Part II is devoted to carbon capturing and hydrogen. Chapters on biomass mass waste-to-hydrogen conversion and related efficient and sustainable hydrogen storage pathways, life cycle assessment for eco-design of biohydrogen factory by microalgae, and metal oxide-based carbon capture technologies are all addressed in this section. The third and final part of the book was designed to present all features of green hydrogen generation. Chapters include PEM water electrolysis and other electrolyzers, wind-driven hydrogen production, and bifunctional electrocatalysts-driven hybrid water splitting, are introduced and thoroughly discussed. Audience This book is directed to researchers and industry professionals in energy engineering, chemistry, physics, materials science, and chemical engineering, as well as energy policymakers, energy economists, and others in the social sciences.

This book comprises a detailed overview on the role of photocatalysts for environmental remediation, hydrogen production and carbon dioxide reduction. Effective ways to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the material via doping, hybrid material, laser light and nanocomposites have been discussed in this book. The book also further elaborates the role of metal nanoparticles, rare earth doping, sensitizers, surface oxygen vacancy, interface engineering and band gap engineering for enhancing the photocatalytic activity. An approach to recover the photocatalytic material via immobilization is also presented. This book brings to light much of the recent research in the development of such semiconductor photocatalytic systems. The book will thus be of relevance to researchers in the field of: material science, environmental science & technology, photocatalytic applications, newer methods of energy generation & conversion and industrial applications.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline compounds consisting of rigid organic molecules held together and organized by metal ions or clusters. Special interests in these materials arise from the fact that many are highly porous and can be used for storage of small molecules, for example H2 or CO2. Consequently, the materials are ideal candidates for a wide range of applications including gas storage, separation technologies and catalysis. Potential applications include the storage of hydrogen for fuel-cell cars, and the removal and storage of carbon dioxide in sustainable technical processes. MOFs offer the inorganic chemist and materials scientist a wide range of new synthetic possibilities and open the doors to new and exciting basic research. Metal-Organic Frameworks Materials provides a solid basis for the understanding of MOFs and insights into new inorganic materials structures and properties. The volume also reflects progress that has been made in recent years, presenting a wide range of new applications including state-of-the art developments in the promising technology for alternative fuels. The comprehensive volume investigates structures, symmetry, supramolecular chemistry, surface engineering, recognition, properties, and reactions. The content from this book will be added online to the Encyclopedia of Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry: http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/ref/eibc

Comprehensive resource summarizing current approaches to generating hydrogen from water and reducing CO2 into various hydrocarbons Green Energy Harvesting: Materials for Hydrogen Generation and Carbon Dioxide Reduction provides an in-depth treatment of the subject by exploring the fundamentals required for the selection of the materials, their synthesis methods, and possible ways to modify them for higher efficiency and enhanced stability. The prospects of adopting these sustainable solutions at a commercial level are summarized. Special emphasis is given to the figure-of-merits for currently developed systems for hydrogen generation and CO2 reduction and to an assessment of available materials in terms of efficacy and efficiency. Green Energy Harvesting also includes information on: Renewable energy in general, including the role of renewable hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels, and possible renewable energy sources A fundamental understanding hydrogen generation and CO2 reduction Device development and deployment status for commercial usage and applications of H2 and hydrocarbon fuels in various sectors Electrocatalysts, 2D materials, and hybrid materials for CO2 reduction and H2 generation Green Energy Harvesting is a highly useful guide for both novice and experienced researchers involved in renewable energy and carbon dioxide utilization that explains the current state of the field and discusses future perspectives.

This book describes the rapidly expanding field of two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes). It covers fundamental knowledge on synthesis, structure, and properties of these new materials, and a description of their processing, scale-up and emerging applications. The ways in which the quickly expanding family of MXenes can outperform other novel nanomaterials in a variety of applications, spanning from energy storage and conversion to electronics; from water science to transportation; and in defense and medical applications, are discussed in detail.