Visible light-driven production of fuels and value-added chemicals is currently one of the most
intensely investigated research topics across various scientific disciplines, due to its potential to ease the
World’s dependence on fossil fuels. In this perspective, we recapitulate some of the main features of dyesensitized
photocatalytic systems aimed at solar H2 production, focusing in particular on TiO2-based threecomponent
assemblies with organic sensitizers. Relevant aspects include the structural and electronic
properties of the sensitizers, the nature of the semiconductor and the hydrogen evolution catalysts, the role
of the sacrificial donor and the effect of the reaction parameters on H2 production rate and stability. Besides
presenting the most significant recent developments of the field, we also analyse some of its common
practices in terms of experimental design, laboratory procedures and data presentation, trying to highlight
their weaknesses and suggesting possible improvements. We then conclude with a short paragraph
discussing the possible future development of this exciting research area.
