A microfluidic photoelectrochemical cell for solar-driven CO₂ conversion into liquid fuels with CuO-based photocathodes

Abstract

Schematic representation of photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction set-up.

Powering the next industrial revolution: transitioning from nonrenewable energy to solar fuelsviaCO2reduction

“…While the latter is not typically considered a fuel source directly, formate has been found to power novel designs of fuel cells, [53][54][55][56][57][58] as well existing as an intermediate or byproduct of the catalytic conversion of CO 2 to methanol (MeOH). [59][60][61][62] Though the photochemical conversion of CO 2 may be achieved by numerous synthetic routes, most work has been devoted to the hydrogenation of this substrate to oxygenates and/or hydrocarbons by pathways resembling a Sabatier (eqn (1)) or reverse water-gas shi reaction (RWGS) (eqn (2))…”

Enhanced Conversion Efficiency Enabled by Species Migration in Direct Solar Energy Storage

“…The former is limited by a narrow choice of solar fuels, including hydrogen by photo-catalytic water splitting, [1,2] ammonia by photocatalytic N 2 reduction, [3] or alcohols from CO 2 reduction. [4] Though prior research has established efficient semiconductor structures [5][6][7][8][9][10] and optimized photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells, [11][12][13] artificial photosynthesis still suffers from low solar energy conversion efficiency due to a constrained thermodynamic driving force (determined by the band structure of semiconductors and chemical inertness of CO 2 , N 2 , and H 2 O). The latter, however, could use redox reactions that are several orders of magnitude faster than those in artificial photosynthesis [14] and thus a higher solar energy conversion and storage efficiency could be achieved.…”

Research Progress in Conversion of CO2 to Valuable Fuels

“…To complete such a reaction, high temperature, high pressure environment, or highly efficient catalysts are typically required to provide the necessary energy. Till now, different strategies including thermal catalysis [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], photocatalysis [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], electrocatalysis [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ], and photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactions [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] have been adopted to conduct the reduction of CO 2 , in which heat, light, or electricity were used to supply essential energy for the reaction. As is known, eight electrons are needed for each CO 2 molecule to complete the conversion to hydrocarbon compounds.…”