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Strategies for Efficient Charge Separation and Transfer in Artificial Photosynthesis of Solar Fuels
Author(s) -
Xu Yuxing,
Li Ailong,
Yao Tingting,
Ma Changtong,
Zhang Xianwen,
Shah Jafar Hussain,
Han Hongxian
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201701598
Subject(s) - artificial photosynthesis , solar fuel , solar energy , photovoltaics , renewable energy , process engineering , energy transformation , photovoltaic system , chemical energy , environmental science , materials science , nanotechnology , chemistry , physics , photocatalysis , engineering , electrical engineering , catalysis , biochemistry , organic chemistry , thermodynamics
Abstract Converting sunlight to solar fuels by artificial photosynthesis is an innovative science and technology for renewable energy. Light harvesting, photogenerated charge separation and transfer (CST), and catalytic reactions are the three primary steps in the processes involved in the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy (SE‐CE). Among the processes, CST is the key “energy pump and delivery” step in determining the overall solar‐energy conversion efficiency. Efficient CST is always high priority in designing and assembling artificial photosynthesis systems for solar‐fuel production. This Review not only introduces the fundamental strategies for CST but also the combinatory application of these strategies to five types of the most‐investigated semiconductor‐based artificial photosynthesis systems: particulate, Z‐scheme, hybrid, photoelectrochemical, and photovoltaics‐assisted systems. We show that artificial photosynthesis systems with high SE‐CE efficiency can be rationally designed and constructed through combinatory application of these strategies, setting a promising blueprint for the future of solar fuels.