Journal of Renewable and New Energy

A review on integrated heterostructure nanophotocatalysts and their performance in green hydrogen production

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Amirreza Oroujzadeh 1
Nasim Seyyed Jobbedar 2
Niloofar Nasirpour 3
Ali Nematollahzadeh 3

1 Chemical Engineering department,, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Chemical Engineering Department,, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Chemical engineering department,, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract
nD/nD hybrid nanophotocatalysts—combinations of different nanoscale dimensions—have recently gained attention as an innovative and efficient approach to improve the performance of hydrogen production systems via photocatalytic water splitting. This review provides an overview of various photocatalytic heterojunctions including Type I, Type II, Type III, Schottky junctions, Z-scheme, and S-scheme systems and analyzing the crucial roles of dimensional design (nD/nD) and band structure engineering in enhancing the photocatalytic activity. Among these, S-scheme heterostructures have demonstrated superior performance due to their effective spatial separation of photogenerated charge carriers and preservation of strong redox potential. Moreover, multidimensional hybrids such as 0D/2D and 1D/3D architectures, with their increased interfacial area, efficient charge transport, and reduced electron–hole recombination, have shown significantly enhanced hydrogen evolution rates. Experimental findings reveal that photocatalysts such as CdS/ZnS, ZnIn₂S₄/g-C₃N₄, and CdS/NiCr₂O₄–LDH—configured as S-scheme or Type II heterojunctions—achieve apparent quantum yields of up to 46.9% and hydrogen evolution rates as high as 25,491.2 µmol/g·h. Overall, the integration of nanostructural engineering, selection of suitable material, and rational heterojunction design plays a vital role in the advancement of next-generation photocatalysts for green hydrogen production.

Keywords

Nanomaterials
Hydrogen production
Nanocomposite
Photocatalyst
Heterostructure

Subjects

Journal of Renewable and New Energy

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 December 2025

  • Receive Date 03 May 2025
  • Revise Date 16 August 2025
  • Accept Date 05 September 2025

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