Table 1.

Comparison of differences and similarities for photocatalysis and electrocatalysis in 2D nanomaterials

		Photocatalysis	Electrocatalysis
Characteristics of catalysts	Type	2D nanomaterial powders or composite thin films	2D nanomaterial thin films or powders loaded on an electrode surface
	Hydrophilicity	Hydrophilic	Hydrophobic or hydrophilic
	Recyclability	Complex for powders, feasible for thin films	Feasible
Conditions of reaction systems	Energy input	Solar energy	Externally applied electric bias
	Configuration	One reaction chamber	One reaction chamber or two chambers separated by membrane
	Charge transfer pathway	Relatively short	Relatively long
Benefits	Cost	Low	High including expensive electrode and electric energy
	Efficiency	Low	Relatively high