Visible light-driven water splitting using cheap and robust photocatalysts is one of the most exciting ways to produce clean and renewable energy for future generations. Cutting edge research within the field focuses on so-called "Z-scheme" systems, which are inspired by the photosystem II-photosystem I (PSII/PSI) coupling from natural photosynthesis. A Z-scheme system comprises two photocatalysts and generates two sets of charge carriers, splitting water into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen, at separate locations. This is not only more efficient than using a single photocatalyst, but practically it could also be safer. Researchers within the field are constantly aiming to bring systems toward industrial level efficiencies by maximizing light absorption of the materials, engineering more stable redox couples, and also searching for new hydrogen and oxygen evolution cocatalysts. This review provides an in-depth survey of relevant Z-schemes from past to present, with particular focus on mechanistic breakthroughs, and highlights current state of the art systems which are at the forefront of the field.

中文翻译：

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模仿自然光合作用：通过Z方案水分解系统将太阳能转化为可再生的H2燃料。

使用廉价且坚固的光催化剂进行可见光驱动的水分解是为子孙后代生产清洁和可再生能源的最令人兴奋的方法之一。该领域的前沿研究集中于所谓的“ Z方案”系统，该系统受自然光合作用的光系统II-光系统I（PSII / PSI）耦合的启发。Z方案系统包含两种光催化剂，并生成两组电荷载体，将水分解为氢和氧的组成部分，位于不同的位置。这不仅比使用单一的光催化剂更有效，而且实际上也可能更安全。该领域的研究人员一直致力于通过最大程度地吸收材料的光，设计更稳定的氧化还原对，使系统达到工业水平的效率，并寻找新的释放氢气和氧气的助催化剂。这篇综述提供了从过去到现在的有关Z方案的深入调查，尤其着重于机械突破，并重点介绍了该领域最前沿的当前系统状态。