Single Atom-modified TiO2-based Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Future Prospects

Single Atom-modified TiO2-based Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Future Prospects | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Energy & Environmental Materials This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 19 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Single Atom-modified TiO2-based Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Future Prospects Authors : Zichu Zhao 0000-0003-1890-5177 [email protected] , Cheryl Law 0000-0002-3276-8052 , and Abel Santos 0000-0002-5081-5684 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176884411.18496016/v1 Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of record Peer review timeline 206 views 141 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract The accelerating demand for green hydrogen has intensified the development of efficient and durable photoelectrocatalysts (PECs) for sustainable water splitting. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a benchmark semiconductor for PEC because of its chemical stability, low cost, and highly tunable properties. However, its wide bandgap and slow charge transport limit its solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency. Single atom catalysts (SACs) provide transformative opportunities to overcome these intrinsic limitations. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SACs-modified TiO2-based PECs, including (i) fundamental principles of single-atom catalysis; (ii) rational design strategies through metal selection via noble and non-noble metals, fabrication methods and structural engineering by modification of morphology of TiO2 structures such as nanotubes, nanowires nanofilms and metal organic frameworks and facets engineering; and (iv) advanced characterization techniques—critical to gain insights into mechanisms involved in these platforms. Hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions driven by SACs-modified TiO2-based PECs are summarized. The limitations of these systems such as low metal loading, single atom aggregation under operating conditions, and insufficient active sites are discussed. We also provide an outlook on future developments combining dual-single atoms and high entropy alloys in TiO2-based PECs, as promising pathways to synergistically integrate activity, stability, and atomic economy. This review provides a valuable framework for designing the next generation TiO2-based PECs for sustainable PEC water splitting. Supplementary Material File (paper-126ad (v0).docx) Download 4.47 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 19 January 2026 Peer review timeline Published ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS Version of Record 7 Apr 2026 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Energy & Environmental Materials Keywords single atom catalysts tio2-based photoelectrocatalysts water splitting Authors Affiliations Zichu Zhao 0000-0003-1890-5177 [email protected] Adelaide University View all articles by this author Cheryl Law 0000-0002-3276-8052 Adelaide University View all articles by this author Abel Santos 0000-0002-5081-5684 Adelaide University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 206 views 141 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Zichu Zhao, Cheryl Law, Abel Santos. Single Atom-modified TiO2-based Catalysts for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting: From Fundamentals to Future Prospects. Authorea . 19 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176884411.18496016/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. 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