Themed collection Solar Fuels and Chemicals: Photocatalytic Water Splitting and CO2 Reduction

21 items
Editorial

Introduction to solar fuels and chemicals: photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction themed collection

Ryu Abe, Yun Hau Ng, Osamu Ishitani and Kazunari Domen introduce the Sustainable Energy & Fuels themed collection on Solar fuels and chemicals: photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction.

Graphical abstract: Introduction to solar fuels and chemicals: photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction themed collection
Perspective

Designing idealised devices for bias-free solar water splitting

This perspective categorizes unbiased photoelectrochemical (PEC) configurations and outlined their strengths and weaknesses, exploring the path to an ideal PEC water-splitting device design, crucial for practical solar-to-hydrogen conversion.

Graphical abstract: Designing idealised devices for bias-free solar water splitting
Open Access Review Article

Multinuclear systems for photo-induced production of green fuels: an overview of homogeneous catalysts based on transition metals

Schematic representation of light-induced processes in artificial photosinthetic systems composed by multinuclear metal complexes.

Graphical abstract: Multinuclear systems for photo-induced production of green fuels: an overview of homogeneous catalysts based on transition metals
Open Access Communication

Improved photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction over Bi-doped CeO2 by strain engineering

By creating surface vacancy-dopant-mediated solid frustrated Lewis pairs, efficient photochemical conversion of CO2 to formic acid is achieved on Bi-doped CeO2 in the presence of strain, which is investigated by using density functional theory.

Graphical abstract: Improved photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction over Bi-doped CeO2 by strain engineering
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Efficient hydrogen evolution from water over a thin film photocathode composed of solid solutions with a composition gradient of ZnTe and CdTe

Photocathode composed of solid solutions with a composition gradient of ZnTe and CdTe shows significantly enhanced solar hydrogen evolution from water over bilayer and/or monolayer photocathodes.

Graphical abstract: Efficient hydrogen evolution from water over a thin film photocathode composed of solid solutions with a composition gradient of ZnTe and CdTe
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Sequential proton coupled electron transfer events from a tetraruthenium polyoxometalate in photochemical water oxidation

The tetraruthenium polyoxometalate Ru4POM shows sequential oxidative proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) events in a [Ru(bpy)3]2+/S2O82− photochemical cycle for catalytic water oxidation, reaching quantum efficiency approaching 14%.

Graphical abstract: Sequential proton coupled electron transfer events from a tetraruthenium polyoxometalate in photochemical water oxidation
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Synergy of nanocrystalline carbon nitride with Cu single atom catalyst leads to selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol

Synergistic magic: copper single atom and nanocrystalline carbon nitride for selective CO2 to methanol conversion.

Graphical abstract: Synergy of nanocrystalline carbon nitride with Cu single atom catalyst leads to selective photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to methanol
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Enhanced photoelectrochemical hydrogen production via linked BiVO4 nanoparticles on anodic WO3 nanocoral structures

In this study, heterostructured BiVO4/WO3 with linked BiVO4 nanoparticles and anodic WO3 nanocorals was fabricated. This heterostructure shows enhanced photoelectrochemical performances, especially, in H2 production.

Graphical abstract: Enhanced photoelectrochemical hydrogen production via linked BiVO4 nanoparticles on anodic WO3 nanocoral structures
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Enhancing the stability of photocatalytic systems for hydrogen evolution in water by using a tris-phenyl-phenanthroline sulfonate ruthenium photosensitizer

Using the water-soluble Ru-tris-phenyl phenanthroline sulfonate photosensitizer versus regular Ru-tris-bipyridine improves the efficiency of H2 production in water.

Graphical abstract: Enhancing the stability of photocatalytic systems for hydrogen evolution in water by using a tris-phenyl-phenanthroline sulfonate ruthenium photosensitizer
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Co-catalyst design to control charge transfer and product composition for photocatalytic H2 production and biomass reforming

Pt co-catalyst results in strong H2 evolution and piece-by-piece peeling of xylose; Ag co-catalyst results in cleavage of C2–C3 bond.

Graphical abstract: Co-catalyst design to control charge transfer and product composition for photocatalytic H2 production and biomass reforming
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of LaTiO2N using titanium oxide nanosheet/La3+ hybrids as a precursor

LaTiO2N, which has attracted attention as a promising candidate for photocatalytic water splitting, was synthesized through a method that utilized a titania nanosheet/La3+/La(OH)3 hybrid system as a precursor.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of LaTiO2N using titanium oxide nanosheet/La3+ hybrids as a precursor
Open Access Paper

Metal-free carbon dot–microporous graphitic carbon heterojunctions as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction

Photocatalysts containing carbon dots (CD) on microporous graphitic carbons prepared from α-cyclodextrin and preformed CDs are able to reduce CO2 in H2O/N(CH2CH2OH)3 forming CH4 and H2.

Graphical abstract: Metal-free carbon dot–microporous graphitic carbon heterojunctions as photocatalysts for CO2 reduction
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

Z-scheme water splitting utilizing CuLi1/3Ti2/3O2 as a hydrogen-evolving photocatalyst with photo-response up to 600 nm

CuLi1/3Ti2/3O2 modified with Cr2O3/Ru, which can utilize longer wavelength light in comparison with SrTiO3:Rh, a representative H2-evolving component, was successfully applied to Z-scheme water splitting with BiVO4 and Co(bpy)33+/2+.

Graphical abstract: Z-scheme water splitting utilizing CuLi1/3Ti2/3O2 as a hydrogen-evolving photocatalyst with photo-response up to 600 nm
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Open Access Paper

A thiomolybdate cluster for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution: comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches

This study investigates the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency of two photosystems incorporating an all-inorganic molecular thiomolybdate [Mo3S13]2− cluster as a HER catalyst.

Graphical abstract: A thiomolybdate cluster for visible-light-driven hydrogen evolution: comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous approaches
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Water oxidation utilizing a ruthenium complex featuring a phenolic moiety inspired by the oxygen-evolving centre (OEC) of photosystem II

A ruthenium complex bearing a phenolic moiety inspired by the OEC of photosystem II exhibits a high catalytic activity for electrochemical water oxidation, clearly indicating the promoting influence of the phenolic moiety on the catalytic activity.

Graphical abstract: Water oxidation utilizing a ruthenium complex featuring a phenolic moiety inspired by the oxygen-evolving centre (OEC) of photosystem II
Paper

In situ photodeposition of loaded Co–MoSx for promoting visible-light g-C3N4 photocatalytic hydrogen production performance

The Co–MoSx can efficiently catalyze H2 evolution reaction under visible light.

Graphical abstract: In situ photodeposition of loaded Co–MoSx for promoting visible-light g-C3N4 photocatalytic hydrogen production performance
Paper

Solar-driven simultaneous production of hypochlorous acid and hydrogen from saline water over RhCrOx-loaded SrTiO3 photocatalyst systems

Photocatalytic simultaneous production of HClO and H2 in saline water under simulated solar light was successfully achieved on SrTiO3:Al photocatalyst systems.

Graphical abstract: Solar-driven simultaneous production of hypochlorous acid and hydrogen from saline water over RhCrOx-loaded SrTiO3 photocatalyst systems
Open Access Paper

A rational guide to improve the activity of a hydrogen-evolving polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst

Light intensity-dependence and the H–D isotope effect studies on Pt-loaded C/N polymer photocatalyst, along with photoelectrochemical measurements, revealed that promoting the oxidation reaction by holes was critical for improved H2 evolution.

Graphical abstract: A rational guide to improve the activity of a hydrogen-evolving polymeric carbon nitride photocatalyst
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
Paper

Hydrogen-evolving photocathodes consisting of Cu2SnxGe1−xS3 particles synthesized by polymerized complex method and sulphurization

Facile approach to synthesizing a Cu2SnxGe1−xS3 photocatalyst was developed, based on sulphurization of particulate oxide precursors prepared by a polymerized complex method.

Graphical abstract: Hydrogen-evolving photocathodes consisting of Cu2SnxGe1−xS3 particles synthesized by polymerized complex method and sulphurization
Paper

Selective placement of modifiers on hematite thin films for solar water splitting

A dual-modification strategy enabling the design of hematite with synergistic bulk and interfacial engineering for improved performance as photoanode.

Graphical abstract: Selective placement of modifiers on hematite thin films for solar water splitting
Open Access Paper

Porous silicon-nanowire-based electrode for the photoelectrocatalytic production of hydrogen

Building a porous photocathode for solar hydrogen production with earth-abundant materials: silicon nanowires to harvest light, molybdenum sulfide to turn protons into hydrogen.

Graphical abstract: Porous silicon-nanowire-based electrode for the photoelectrocatalytic production of hydrogen
From the themed collection: Recent Open Access Articles
21 items

About this collection

This collection, guest edited by Profs. Ryu Abe (Kyoto University, Japan, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8592-076X), Kazunari Domen (The University of Tokyo, Japan, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7995-4832), Osamu Ishitani (Hiroshima University, Japan, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9557-7854) and Yun Hau Ng (City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9142-2126), aims to showcase the recent advances in the field of photocatalytic water splitting and CO2 reduction, with a focus on solar-driven production of clean fuels and chemicals. The wide range of topics covered include semiconductor materials chemistry, photoelectrochemistry, nanotechnology, co-catalysts with high selectivity, molecular catalyst chemistry, spectroscopy, theoretical study and system design for practical applications. 

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