Thermally splitting of water typically requires temperatures around 1500°C. In this op-ed, Geoff discusses the case of Cu@TiO2 as a photothermally driven water splitting catalyst operating under 1 sun illumination and under 150°C.
The key to this approach is a two step reduction and oxidation cycle in a low pO2 environment.
The full article can be read on the Advanced Science News website.