Oxygen Vacancy Engineering of Metal Oxide Materials for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

作者：Xiaofan Yang, Guang‐Ping Yi, Pengfei Lv, Si‐Jie Wen, Yiping Zhao, Zhao Jing, Qiang Wang, Bing Li, Pengyi Tang · 发表于：Electron · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1002/elt2.70011 · 被引用次数：16 · 研究领域：Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques、Copper-based nanomaterials and applications、Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides

ABSTRACT Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting presents a promising route for sustainable hydrogen production, yet the efficiency of metal oxide photoanodes remains limited by suboptimal light absorption, charge carrier recombination, and sluggish surface reaction kinetics. This review critically examines the strategic engineering of oxygen vacancies (OVs) as a powerful tool for overcoming these intrinsic limitations. We systematically analyze established methodologies for the deliberate introduction and modulation of OVs in metal oxides, including techniques such as the hydrothermal method, thermal treatment, chemical reduction, plasma processing, elemental doping, and microwave heating. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the applicability, strengths, and limitations of key characterization techniques for detecting and quantifying OVs. Crucially, the review delves into the profound mechanistic impacts of OVs on the PEC process chain: Their roles in tailoring electronic band structures to alter the photoelectrochemical properties of metal oxide photoanodes, thereby enhancing visible light absorption, acting as shallow donors to improve charge carrier density, functioning as electron traps to suppress bulk recombination, and modifying surface states to accelerate the oxygen evolution reaction. We also present detailed case studies focusing on five prominent photoanode materials: TiO 2 , α‐Fe 2 O 3 , BiVO 4 , WO 3 , and ZnFe 2 O 4 . This review elucidates the specific rol...