Multi-functional photocatalytic systems for solar fuel production

Solar fuel production from water has received increasing attention due to increasing energy and environmental concerns. Herein we highlight dual- and multi-functional photocatalytic systems, which have both photosensitizing and thermal redox functions for solar fuel production. For example, polymeric cyano (CN)-bridged heteronuclear metal complexes act as dual functional photoredox catalysts that incorporate both a light harvesting photosensitizer and redox catalytic sites for the photocatalytic oxidation of water and reduction of dioxygen to produce H2O2. On the other hand, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) contain both organic parts which act as photosensitizers and inorganic metal parts which act as redox catalysts, catalyzing water oxidation, H-2 evolution, CO2 reduction and H2O2 production. An organic photoredox catalyst can be incorporated into nano-sized mesoporous cellular silica foams together with a redox catalyst for water oxidation, H-2 production, CO2 reduction and H2O2 production. Finally, construction of multi-functional catalytic systems is discussed for solar-driven production of H-2 as molecular models of photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) in photosynthesis.

Automated summary

Solar fuel production from water has gained attention for its potential to address energy and environmental concerns. Dual- and multi-functional photocatalytic systems, such as polymeric cyano-bridged metal complexes and metal-organic frameworks, have been developed for water oxidation, H-2 production, CO2 reduction, and H2O2 production.