Self‐assembled supramolecular materials for photocatalytic reactions

Abstract

The modern lifestyle necessitates significant energy consumption, which continues to increase as human development progresses. Solar energy presents an attractive alternative resource that can meet the global demand for energy in light of the limited availability of fossil fuels. In nature, photosynthetic organelles utilize solar energy to convert inorganic matter into organic matter through photosynthesis. Solar energy can be converted into chemical energy through a natural process, and humans can replicate this technology through artificial photosynthesis. Artificial photosynthesis is an emerging discipline that imitates the mechanism of photosynthesis found in living organisms. Significant advancements have been made in this field, and this review specifically focuses on the self‐assembly process of supramolecular nanomaterials through non‐covalent bonding. The self‐assembly process of photosensitizer molecules combined with catalysts and substrates for photocatalytic reactions is of particular interest. This review presents three categories of photocatalytic reactions, followed by a brief discussion of the prospects and challenges within this field.