Bionspired Photocatalysts for Green Hydrogrn Production: Toward Scalable Eco-Enengy Solutions

Ardi Azhar Nampira (1), Lucas Lima (2), Thiago Rocha (3)
(1) Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November, Indonesia,
(2) Universidade Sao Paulo, Brazil,
(3) Universidade Federal Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

In the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions, the development of green hydrogen production technologies has garnered significant attention. Photocatalytic water splitting is one of the most promising methods to generate hydrogen using solar energy. This study focuses on bioinspired photocatalysts for green hydrogen production, aiming to enhance the efficiency and scalability of photocatalytic processes. The research explores the principles behind bioinspired photocatalysts, which mimic the natural processes of photosynthesis in plants, and their potential to provide eco-friendly energy solutions.


The primary objective of this research is to investigate novel bioinspired photocatalysts for efficient hydrogen production under solar irradiation. A combination of experimental methods, including synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of photocatalysts, was used. The study employs various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, and electrochemical tests, to assess the photocatalytic performance under simulated sunlight.


The results reveal that the bioinspired photocatalysts exhibit significantly enhanced hydrogen production rates compared to traditional catalysts. Notably, the integration of natural materials such as plant-derived components improves the photocatalytic efficiency and stability.


In conclusion, bioinspired photocatalysts hold great promise for large-scale green hydrogen production, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional energy solutions. Future research will focus on optimizing these catalysts for industrial applications.

Full text article

Generated from XML file

References

Aggarwal, D., Kaur, M., Bansal, S., & Singhal, S. (2025). Fabrication of eco-friendly NiFe2O4 nanocatalysts via plant extract-mediated synthesis: Kinetic and mechanistic insights into photocatalytic degradation of an anthraquinone dye and tetracycline antibiotic. Journal of Molecular Structure, 1319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2024.139365

Anbazhagan, A., Zhang, X., Lu, Y., Nazeer, N. A., Zhang, L., Krishnakumar, G. S., & Wang, M.-H. (2025). Exploring the synthesis, properties, and potential of chitosan-functionalized metal-organic frameworks in emerging applications. Progress in Materials Science, 148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2024.101387

Bigham, A., Zarepour, A., Safarkhani, M., Huh, Y., Khosravi, A., Rabiee, N., Iravani, S., & Zarrabi, A. (2025). Inspired by nature: Bioinspired and biomimetic photocatalysts for biomedical applications. Nano Materials Science, 7(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoms.2024.02.006

Chilivery, R., Zhang, R., Chen, G., Yao, D., Fan, D., Lu, F., & Song, Y. (2023). Facile in situ construction of novel hybrid 3D-BiOCl@PDA heterostructures with vacancy induced charge transfer for efficient visible light driven photocatalysis and antibacterial activity. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130415

Gaurav, K., Kaur, S. P., & Srivastava, R. (2025). Bioinspired advances in energy materials: Unlocking nature’s potential for sustainable solutions. In Biomimetic and Bioinspired Materials: Design, Synthesis, and Emerging Applications (pp. 125–143). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003637257-7

Harini, H. V, Nagaswarupa, H. P., Naik, R., Guddi Likmaram, L., Sukrutha, S. K., Pramod, S. N., Pothu, R., Sillanpää, M., Rajender, R., Radwan, A. B., & Al-Qahtani, N. (2024). Bioinspired synthesis of calcium magnesium aluminate nanoparticles using aloe vera extract: A promising material for electrochemical sensors, antibacterial and environmental remediation applications. Inorganic Chemistry Communications, 170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inoche.2024.113185

Huang, W., Mei, H., Chang, P., Jin, Z., Bai, S., Pan, L., & Cheng, L. (2023). Bioinspired hierarchical-pore anchoring strategy advancing synergistic photocatalytic-mechanical properties. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.109337

Hussain, R. T., Hossain, M. S., & Shariffuddin, J. H. (2024). Green synthesis and photocatalytic insights: A review of zinc oxide nanoparticles in wastewater treatment. Materials Today Sustainability, 26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100764

Ibikunle, P. D., Adewusi, A. T., Ibikunle, P. D., Ejigboye, P. O., & Olajide, O. S. (2025). Advanced materials for water capture applications to enhance water supply: A systematic review. NIPES - Journal of Science and Technology Research, 7(1 Special Issue), 1719–1736. https://doi.org/10.37933/nipes/7.4.2025.SI200

Kechiche, A., Al-Shehimy, S., Khrouz, L., Monnereau, C., Bucher, C., Parola, S., Bessmertnykh-Lemeune, A., Rousselin, Y., Cheprakov, A. V, & Nasri, H. (2024). Phosphonate-substituted porphyrins as efficient, cost-effective and reusable photocatalysts. Dalton Transactions, 53(17), 7498–7516. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4dt00418c

Kubiak, A., & Jaruga, M. (2025). Pilot-scale LED photocatalytic system utilizing 3D bioinspired sponge photocatalyst for the removal of amoxicillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin from hospital wastewater. Chemical Engineering Journal, 510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.161758

Maher, S., Zamina, B., Riaz, M., Riaz, S., Khalid, N., Imran., M., Fahmid, S., Ishtiaq, H., & Parveen, S. (2023). Green Synthesis of Withania coagulans Extract-Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts and Biological Agents. ACS Omega, 8(49), 46715–46727. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c05947

Miftode, R., Mîndroiu, M., Bîru, I., Ioni??, G., Mihai, G. V, Enachescu, M., Rizea-Orbeci, C., & Pîrvu, C. (2023). Double S-Scheme Polydopamine/TiO2/Chlorophyll as Stable and Efficient Green Photoelectrocatalyst. ChemElectroChem, 10(24). https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202300277

Ming, M.-T., Wang, Y.-C., Tao, W.-X., Shi, W.-J., Zhong, D.-C., & Lu, T.-B. (2023). Designing dual-atom cobalt catalysts anchored on amino-functionalized MOFs for efficient CO2 photoreduction. Green Chemistry, 25(16), 6207–6211. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3gc01461d

Najafov, B. A., Nasirov, S. N., & Neymetov, S. R. (2025). HYDROGEN technologies for the manufacture of solar-hydrogen Energy objects. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 99, 328–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.159

Pasindu, V., & Munaweera, I. (2025). Harnessing atomic-scale defect engineering in 2D photocatalysts: synergistic integration of nanocomposite architectures for bandgap tuning and charge transfer optimization. RSC Advances, 15(41), 34191–34210. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5ra05074j

Pathania, V., & Raha Roy, S. R. (2024). Phenalenyl-Based Photocatalyst for Bioinspired Oxidative Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles and Benzyl Alcohols. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 89(6), 4145–4155. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.joc.4c00081

Potbhare, A. K., Tarik Aziz, S. K. T., Ayyub, M. M., Kahate, A., Madankar, R., Wankar, S., Dutta, A., Abdala, A., Mohmood, S. H., Adhikari, R., & Chaudhary, R. G. (2024). Bioinspired graphene-based metal oxide nanocomposites for photocatalytic and electrochemical performances: an updated review. Nanoscale Advances, 6(10), 2539–2568. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3na01071f

Prakalathan, D., Kavitha, G., & Kumar, G. D. (2024). Bioinspired copper oxide nanocomposites: harnessing plant extracts for enhanced photocatalytic performance. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(39), 51415–51430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34646-3

Rajasree, S. S., Saha, B., Kelly, G. M., Phillips, E. N., Maindan, K., Li, A., Slusarczyk, T., & Deria, P. (2025). Metal-Organic Framework-Based Efficient Singlet Heterogeneous Photoredox Catalyst for Aerobic C-H Functionalization. ACS Catalysis, 15(4), 3515–3524. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.5c00011

Rashmiranjan, R., Yang, P.-C., & Hsieh, C.-T. (2025). Enhanced domestic 12 W LED light-driven rhodamine B degradation by Z-scheme CoFe2O4/PDA/g-C3N4 ternary heterojunction. Ceramics International, 51(16), 22716–22730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.01.125

Shirvani, M., & Hosseini-Sarvari, M. (2025). Bioinspired Fe3O4@SiO2/L-Tryptophan/rGO Hybrid as a Photocatalyst for the Tandem Photooxidation–Condensation Synthesis of N-Heterocycles. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 13(46), 20103–20124. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c07871

Yadav, A., Yadav, R. K., Yadav, A. K., Sharma, K., Mishra, S., Shahin, R., Jaiswal, S. K., Mishra, V. K., & Baeg, J. O. (2025). Bioinspired chitosan–zeolite composite: A green photocatalyst for water purification and energy-relevant oxidation reactions. Photochemistry and Photobiology. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.70061

Zhao, Q.-R., Wang, K., Gao, X., Hsu, H.-Y., & Tan, C. (2026). Metal-coordinated porphyrin COFs enable efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic NADH regeneration. Chemical Communications. https://doi.org/10.1039/d5cc05970d

Authors

Ardi Azhar Nampira
ardiazhar@gmail.com (Primary Contact)
Lucas Lima
Thiago Rocha
Nampira, A. A., Lima, L., & Rocha, T. (2026). Bionspired Photocatalysts for Green Hydrogrn Production: Toward Scalable Eco-Enengy Solutions. Scientechno: Journal of Science and Technology, 3(3), 341–349. https://doi.org/10.70177/scientechno.v3i3.3402

Article Details