Electrospun fiber-based photocatalysts demonstrate significant potential in addressing global environmental and energy challenges, primarily due to their high specific surface areas and unique properties. This review examines recent advances in the application of these materials in photocatalytic processes, with a particular focus on water splitting and hydrogen production. The principles of the electrospun method are described in detail, along with the operating parameters, material characteristics, and environmental conditions that affect the fiber formation. Additionally, the review discusses the challenges, advantages, and future prospects of photocatalysts incorporating carbon materials, metals, semiconductors, and hybrid structures with improved performance. These materials have the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of hydrogen energy production, water purification, and CO₂ recovery, highlighting their importance in engineering sciences.

This study investigates the hydrogen adsorption performance of activated carbon (AC) derived from rice husks and modified with magnesium and nickel salts. Adsorption isotherms were recorded at 25 °C and 50 °C up to 80 bar, simulating practical storage conditions. The unmodified AC exhibited the highest hydrogen uptake (0.62 wt% at 25 °C), attributed to its high surface area and dominant ultramicroporosity (<0.9 nm). Modifications with Mg and Ni reduced adsorption capacity, likely due to partial pore blockage and decreased surface functionality, as confirmed by FTIR, Raman, and XRD analyses. Despite this, all samples demonstrated stable cyclic adsorption–desorption behavior and consistent isotherm profiles. Hysteresis observed in the modified samples suggests capillary condensation within mesopores. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the exothermic nature of hydrogen adsorption. Among the modified materials, ACM10 (Mg-modified) exhibited the best performance (0.54 wt%), highlighting the importance of optimizing the metal content. The obtained results indicate that the micropore size distribution and accessible surface functionality critically govern the hydrogen storage capacity, suggesting that unmodified AC is a promising candidate for low-temperature hydrogen storage systems.

Layers of TiO₂ nanotubes formed by the anodization process represent an area of active research in the context of innovative energy conversion and storage systems. Titanium nanotubes (TNTs) have attracted attention because of their unique properties, especially their high surface-to-volume ratio, which makes them a desirable material for various technological applications. The anodization method is widely used to produce TNTs because of its simplicity and relative cheapness; the method enables precise control over the thickness of TiO₂ nanotubes. Anodization can also be used to create decorative and colored coatings on titanium nanotubes. In this study, a combined structure including anodic TiO₂ nanotubes and SrTiO₃ particles was fabricated using chemical synthesis techniques. TiO₂ nanotubes were prepared by anodizing them in ethylene glycol containing NH₄F and H₂O while applying a voltage of 30 volts. An anode nanotube array heat-treated at 450 °C was then placed in an autoclave filled with dilute SrTiO₃ solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the TNTs were characterized by clear and open tube ends, with an average outer diameter of 1.01 μm and an inner diameter of 69 nm, and their length is 133 nm. The results confirm the successful formation of a structure that can be potentially applied in a variety of applications, including hydrogen production by the photocatalytic decomposition of water under sunlight.

Изучены фотоэлектрохимические свойства фотокатализаторов на основе композита SrTiO₃/многослойный графен, синтезированного из биоотходов методом электроспиннинга, как перспективных и недорогих элементов и графен, полученный из рисовой шелухи и скорлупы грецкого ореха, как со-катализатор для производства водорода (Н₂) путем разложения воды, которые впервые использованы в фотокаталитической системе. Результаты показали, что наличие нескольких слоев графена уменьшает ширину запрещенной зоны фотокаталитической системы и способствует эффективному разделению фотоиндуцированных зарядов. Материал – многослойный графен, синтезированный из биоотходов/SrTiO₃, проявил более высокую скорость выделения водорода, чем чистый SrTiO₃. Полученные результаты могут быть использованы для создания новых и эффективных фотокатализаторов на основе материалов, синтезированных из биоотходов, с улучшенными свойствами для расщепления воды.

Perovskite oxynitrides are promising visible-light photocatalysts, yet the orbital origin of their anisotropic optical response remains unclear. Here, we investigate ordered SrTaO₂N using GGA-PBE, DFPT-derived GGA + U, and TB-mBJ density functional theory. The three approaches yield band gaps of 1.00, 2.33, and 1.90 eV, respectively, with TB-mBJ falling within the experimental optical range. Across all methods, N 2p and Ta 5d states dominate the valence- and conduction-band edges, with pronounced p–d hybridization within the Ta–N/O framework. Polarization-dependent calculations reveal strong anisotropy in interband transition probability: the strongest low-energy excitation occurs along the z direction and is associated with the Ta–N–Ta network. This anisotropy is preserved after gap correction and is reflected in the dielectric response, absorption, and reflectivity. These results demonstrate that the photoresponse of SrTaO₂N is governed by orbital character and direction-dependent excitation rather than by the band-gap magnitude alone, highlighting z-polarized N 2p → Ta 5d interband transitions as a robust descriptor for designing visible-light-responsive oxynitride photocatalysts.