Over　the　past　half-century,　significant　efforts　have　been　dedicated　to　the　photocatalytic　H2　production　from　H2O　under　UV–visible　light　irradiation.　These　endeavors　have　yielded　remarkable　results,　with　efficiency　levels　now　approaching　near　100　​%　apparent　quantum　yields,　notably　utilizing　inorganic　semiconducting　materials　such　as　modified　Al-doped　SrTiO3　photocatalysts.　Meanwhile,　advancements　in　organic　polymer　semiconducting　materials,　exemplified　by　g-C3N4,　have　led　to　substantial　improvements　in　the　efficiency　of　photocatalytic　overall　water　splitting　for　H2　evolution　reaction.　These　improvements,　achieved　through　chemical　engineering　methods　and　molecular-level　modifications,　have　resulted　in　an　apparent　quantum　yield　of　69　​%　at　405　​nm,　accompanied　by　significant　red-shifting　of　optical　absorption　to　1400　​nm.　These　developments　are　presented　in　chronological　order　over　the　past　half-century,　underscoring　the　ongoing　quest　for　innovative　breakthroughs　to　enable　large-scale　practical　applications　of　solar　hydrogen　production.　Key　considerations　in　this　pursuit　include　efficiency,　stability,　cost-effectiveness,　and　the　independent　evolution　of　H2　and　O2.　©　2024　Chongqing　University