Nature Reviews Materials 6, 168–190 (2021) Cite this article Solar-to-chemical energy conversion for the generation of high-energy chemicals is one of the most viable solutions to the quest for sustainable energy resources.
Photocorrosion in the reduction of CO 2 using solar energy is a process in which the semiconductor photocatalyst deteriorates with time. The reason for this occurrence is that the semiconductor breakdown is caused by the interaction of the excited electrons and holes created by light with the semiconductor material itself.
In the field of photocatalysis and photothermal synergistic catalysis of CO 2 conversion, single-atom catalysts can reduce the reaction temperature and pressure, improve the catalytic activity, and improve the selectivity of the reaction.
Solar fuels research has been pursued ever since the initial studies on solar water splitting with TiO 2 photoelectrodes by Fujishima and Honda 50 years ago. (5) Since then, PV–EC, PEC, and PC systems stood out as the most common approaches for solar-to-chemical conversion.
Hybrid assemblies of photoelectrodes present an opportunity to systematically create materials for converting CO 2 using solar energy. To achieve satisfactory outcomes, it is crucial to take into account the following procedures. Firstly, it is imperative to effectively capture a significant portion of the solar spectrum through light absorption.
The practical conversion efficiency from sunlight to electricity for commercially available solar thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) converters is currently in the range of 15% – 25%. More than three quarters of the solar energy, collected with considerable investment of capital and land area, is lost back to the environment.