ImmobilizedGold Nanoparticles on a Glass-Based Scaffoldfor Direct Solar-Driven H₂ from Water Vapor

Solar-driven green hydrogen (H₂) production through photocatalytic water splitting is a promising solution to combat climate change. A key challenge lies in developing photocatalyst materials capable of efficiently splitting water vapor under practical conditions. In this study, we present a photocatalytic system based on gold nanoparticles immobilized on a glass-based porous scaffold through reactive metal support interactions. This structure exhibits a high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency of 2.2% under simulated solar light. Long-term cycling tests demonstrate stable H₂ evolution, with observed declines in efficiency caused by surface hydroxyl and carboxyl group formation, although it is effectively restored through plasma treatment. These findings provide valuable insights into the design of robust and efficient photocatalytic materials, advancing the potential path for scalable commercial applications.