Production of solar chemicals: gaining selectivity with hybrid molecule/semiconductor assemblies

Abstract

Research on the production of solar fuels and chemicals has rocketed over the past decade, with a wide variety of systems proposed to harvest solar energy and drive chemical reactions. In this Feature Article we have focused on hybrid molecule/semiconductor assemblies in both powder and supported materials, summarising recent systems and highlighting the enormous possibilities offered by such assemblies to carry out highly demanding chemical reactions with industrial impact. Of relevance is the higher selectivity obtained in visible light-driven organic transformations when using molecular catalysts compared to photocatalytic materials.

Electro- and Solar-Driven Fuel Synthesis with First Row Transition Metal Complexes

“…We envision that solar fuel synthesis can effectively be coupled to solar-driven chemical oxidations, even if this would only produce a small amount of global fuel. 1148 In such a scenario, the main commercial value would most likely stem from the organic product and the fuel be considered as a byproduct. The solar-driven, direct hydrogenation of organic substrates from aqueous protons without intermediate H 2 generation is an emerging approach of artificial photosynthesis to drive organic reactions.…”

Comparison of carbon sequestration efficacy between artificial photosynthetic carbon dioxide conversion and timberland reforestation

“…9 One explanation for this discrepancy is the complex kinetics of removing four electrons from water to form oxygen, which drives down the efficiency of solar-to-chemical conversion processes. For photoelectrochemical (PEC) or photocatalytic solar-to-fuel processes, which presents a more direct comparison with natural photosynthesis since water oxidation is performed and products are generated at the site of solar energy capture, [10][11][12][13][14] realistic efficiencies for deployed systems with earth-abundant elements have been estimated at approximately 5.4%. 15 Due to the cost, efficiency, and product collection challenges presented by PEC technologies, the present study focuses on integrating photovoltaic modules with electrically driven CO 2 conversion processes.…”

Defect Engineering on Carbon-Based Catalysts for Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction

“…Excessive carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) generated by combustion is discharged into the atmosphere, which seriously disrupts the original normal carbon cycle of nature, causing global warming, and then causes a series of serious environmental problems [1,2], such as sea level rise, land desertification, and climate abnormality. Therefore, the capture and conversion of CO 2 into fuel or chemical raw materials with high added value has become one of the hot spots of scientific research because it can provide solutions to carbon emissions and energy crisis at the same time [3][4][5][6][7][8]. In the past few decades, various technologies such as biochemical, electronic, photochemical, radiochemical, and thermochemical have been developed to reduce CO 2 [9][10][11][12].…”