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Liu S, Qi W, Yang X, Guo X, Liu J, Zhu Y, Yang MQ, Yang M. Surface Reconstruction on Metal Nitride during Photo-oxidation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202315034. [PMID: 38352980 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The efficient conversion and storage of solar energy for chemical fuel production presents a challenge in sustainable energy technologies. Metal nitrides (MNs) possess unique structures that make them multi-functional catalysts for water splitting. However, the thermodynamic instability of MNs often results in the formation of surface oxide layers and ambiguous reaction mechanisms. Herein, we present on the photo-induced reconstruction of a Mo-rich@Co-rich bi-layer on ternary cobalt-molybdenum nitride (Co3 Mo3 N) surfaces, resulting in improved effectiveness for solar water splitting. During a photo-oxidation process, the uniform initial surface oxide layer is reconstructed into an amorphous Co-rich oxide surface layer and a subsurface Mo-N layer. The Co-rich outer layer provides active sites for photocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (POER), while the Mo-rich sublayer promotes charge transfer and enhances the oxidation resistance of Co3 Mo3 N. Additionally, the surface reconstruction yields a shortened Co-Mo bond length, weakening the adsorption of hydrogen and resulting in improved performance for both photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (PHER) and POER. This work provides insight into the surface structure-to-activity relationships of MNs in solar energy conversion, and is expected to have significant implications for the design of metal nitride-based catalysts in sustainable energy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Weiliang Qi
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, Liaoning, P. R. China
| | - Xuhui Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Xuyun Guo
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Jue Liu
- Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 37831, United States
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, 999077, P. R. China
| | - Min-Quan Yang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fujian Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, Fujian, P. R. China
| | - Minghui Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, Liaoning, P. R. China
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2
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Marchant C, Williams RM. Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells-compositions for improved stability and power conversion efficiency. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2024; 23:1-22. [PMID: 37991706 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00500-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells (PSTSCs) represent an emerging opportunity to compete with industry-standard single junction crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. The maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of single junction cells is set by the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit (33.7%). However, tandem cells can expand this value to ~ 45% by utilising two stacked solar cells to harvest the solar spectrum more efficiently. 33.9% PCE has already been achieved with PSTSCs. This perspective analyses recent advances in PSTSC technology, with an emphasis on optimal perovskite composition, the problem and mitigation of light-induced halide phase segregation, self-assembled hole transporting monolayers and additives that can improve and stabilise the perovskite. Top-performing compositions show three cationic components (Cs+, FA+, Pb2+) and three anionic (I-, Br-, Cl-) with a bandgap between 1.55 and 1.77 eV and a theoretical maximum of 1.73 eV (717 nm). Anionic additives such as (Br3)- and SCN- reduce trap states and segregation. 2D-perovskite grain boundary interfaces are created with cationic alkylammonium additives such as methyl-phenethylammonium (MPEA) and result in improved performance. 2-, 3- or 4-terminal devices with a (partly) textured silicon heterojunction (SHJ) bottom cell are ideal. An ultra-thin interfacial recombination layer (~ 5 nm) of indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO) containing a carbazole-based hole transporting self-assembled monolayer (Me-4PACz) is used for optimal 2-terminal tandem devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Marchant
- Molecular Photonics Group, Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit Van Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - René M Williams
- Molecular Photonics Group, Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), Universiteit Van Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Plainpan N, Ketkaew R, Luber S, Sivula K. Enabling Direct Photoelectrochemical H₂ Production using Alternative Oxidation Reactions on WO₃. Chimia (Aarau) 2023; 77:110-115. [PMID: 38047812 DOI: 10.2533/chimia.2023.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficient and inexpensive conversion of solar energy into chemical bonds, such as in H2 via the photoelectrochemical splitting of H2O, is a promising route to produce green industrial feedstocks and renewable fuels, which is a key goal of the NCCR Catalysis. However, the oxidation product of the water splitting reaction, O2, has little economic or industrial value. Thus, upgrading key chemical species using alternative oxidation reactions is an emerging trend. WO3 has been identified as a unique photoanode material for this purpose since it performs poorly in the oxygen evolution reaction in H2O. Herein we highlight a collaboration in the NCCR Catalysis that has gained insights at the atomic level of the WO3 surface with ab initio computational methods that help to explain its unique catalytic activity. These computational efforts give new context to experimental results employing WO3 photoanodes for the direct photoelectrochemical oxidation of biomass-derived 5-(hydroxymethyl) furfural. While yield for the desired product, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid is low, insights into the reaction rate constants using kinetic modelling and an electrochemical technique called derivative voltammetry, give indications on how to improve the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nukorn Plainpan
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne.
| | | | - Sandra Luber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich.
| | - Kevin Sivula
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne.
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Xiao J, Li C, Jia X, Du B, Li R, Wang B. Enabling high low-bias performance of Fe(2)O(3) photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 633:555-65. [PMID: 36470136 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.11.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fe2O3 is a promising photoanode material used for photoelectrochemical water splitting due to its narrow bandgap and excellent stability in solution. However, because the nanorods shrink and coalesce when annealed under high temperatures, the charge separation and injection efficiencies are suppressed in the conventional nanocoral Fe2O3, resulting in its high bias potential and low photocurrent density. Herein, by improving the radial growth of FeOOH precursor, highly dispersed Fe2O3 nanorods could be prepared. It enabled them to have sufficient light-harvesting and short charge transport distance, high light absorption and charge separation/injection efficiencies, increased photocurrent density and reduced onset potential Von. The optimized Fe2O3 photoanodes obtained a remarkable low-bias photocurrent density of 0.84 mA cm-2 at 1.0 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE). It was further improved to 1.36 mA cm-2 at 1.0 V vs. RHE with the Von reduced to 0.50 V vs. RHE when post-treated with a solvothermal method and loaded with NiOOH/FeOOH cocatalysts. The applied bias photo-to-current conversion efficiency was maximized to 0.45% at 0.84 V vs. RHE.
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Shlosberg Y, Spungin D, Schuster G, Berman-Frank I, Adir N. Trichodesmium erythraeum produces a higher photocurrent than other cyanobacterial species in bio-photo electrochemical cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Bioenerg 2022; 1863:148910. [PMID: 35944660 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2022.148910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The increase in world energy consumption, and the worries from potential future disasters that may derive from climate change have stimulated the development of renewable energy technologies. One promising method is the utilization of whole photosynthetic cyanobacterial cells to produce photocurrent in a bio-photo electrochemical cell (BPEC). The photocurrent can be derived from either the respiratory or photosynthetic pathways, via the redox couple NADP+/NADPH mediating cyclic electron transport between photosystem I inside the cells, and the anode. In the past, most studies have utilized the fresh-water cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Syn). Here, we show that the globally important marine cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum flourishing in the subtropical oceans can provide improved currents as compared to Syn. We applied 2D-fluorescence measurements to detect the secretion of NADPH and show that the resulting photocurrent production is enhanced by increasing the electrolyte salinity, Further enhancement of the photocurrent can be obtained by the addition of electron mediators such as NAD+, NADP+, cytochrome C, vitamin B1, or potassium ferricyanide. Finally, we produce photocurrent from additional cyanobacterial species: Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942, Acaryochloris marina MBIC 11017, and Spirulina, using their cultivation media as electrolytes for the BPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv Shlosberg
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel; Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa 320000, Israel
| | - Dina Spungin
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gadi Schuster
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel; Faculty of Biology, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Ilana Berman-Frank
- Department of Marine Biology, Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam Adir
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel; Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa 320000, Israel.
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6
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Shlosberg Y, Krupnik N, Tóth TN, Eichenbaum B, Meirovich MM, Meiri D, Yehezkeli O, Schuster G, Israel Á, Adir N. Bioelectricity generation from live marine photosynthetic macroalgae. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 198:113824. [PMID: 34864244 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The conversion of solar energy into electrical current by photosynthetic organisms has the potential to produce clean energy. Bio-photoelectrochemical cells (BPECs) utilizing unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms have been studied, however similar harvesting of electrons from more evolved intact photosynthetic organisms has not been previously reported. In this study, we describe for the first time BPECs containing intact live marine macroalgae (seaweeds) in natural seawater or saline buffer. The BPECs produce electrical currents of >50 mA/cm2, from both light-dependent (photosynthesis) and light-independent processes. These values are significantly greater than the current densities that have been reported for single-cell microorganisms. The photocurrent is inhibited by the Photosystem II inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, indicating that the source of light-driven electrons is from photosynthetic water oxidation. The current is mediated to the external anode via NADPH and possibly other reduced molecules. We show that intact macroalgae cultures can be used in large-scale BPECs containing seawater, to produce bias-free photocurrents, paving the way for the future development of low-cost energy solar energy conversion technologies using BPECs.
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Cui P, Xue Y. Effects of co-adsorption on interfacial charge transfer in a quantum dot@dye composite. Nanoscale Res Lett 2021; 16:147. [PMID: 34542732 PMCID: PMC8452815 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-021-03604-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The sensitive electronic environment at the quantum dot (QD)-dye interface becomes a roadblock to enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of dye-functionalized quantum dots (QDs). Energy alignments and electronic couplings are the critical factors governing the directions and rates of different charge transfer pathways at the interface, which are tunable by changing the specific linkage groups that connect a dye to the QD surface. The variation of specific anchors changes the binding configurations of a dye on the QD surface. In addition, the presence of a co-adsorbent changes the dipole-dipole and electronic interactions between a QD and a dye, resulting in different electronic environments at the interface. In the present work, we performed density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations to study the different binding configurations of N719 dye on the surface of a Cd33Se33 QD with a co-adsorbent D131 dye. The results revealed that the electronic couplings for electron transfer were greater than for hole transfer when the structure involved isocyanate groups as anchors. Such strong electronic couplings significantly stabilize the occupied states of the dye, pushing them deep inside the valence band of the QD and making hole transfer in these structures thermodynamically unfavourable. When carboxylates were involved as anchors, the electronic couplings for hole transfer were comparable to electron transfer, implying efficient charge separation at the QD-dye interface and reduced electron-hole recombination within the QD. We also found that the electronic couplings for electron transfer were larger than those for back electron transfer, suggesting efficient charge separation in photoexcited QDs. Overall, the current computational study reveals some fundamental aspects of the relationship between the interfacial charge transfer for QD@dye composites and their morphologies which benefit the design of QD-based nanomaterials for photovoltaic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cui
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuan Xue
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Jiangnan University, No.1800 Lihu Road, Wuxi, 214122, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
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Chuon K, Shim JG, Kim SH, Cho SG, Meas S, Kang KW, Kim JH, Das I, Sheves M, Jung KH. The role of carotenoids in proton-pumping rhodopsin as a primitive solar energy conversion system. J Photochem Photobiol B 2021; 221:112241. [PMID: 34130090 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Rhodopsin and carotenoids are two molecules that certain bacteria use to absorb and utilize light. Type I rhodopsin, the simplest active proton transporter, converts light energy into an electrochemical potential. Light produces a proton gradient, which is known as the proton motive force across the cell membrane. Some carotenoids are involved in light absorbance and transfer of absorbed energy to chlorophyll during photosynthesis. A previous study in Salinibacter ruber has shown that carotenoids act as antennae to harvest light and transfer energy to retinal in xanthorhodopsin (XR). Here, we describe the role of canthaxanthin (CAN), a carotenoid, as an antenna for Gloeobacter rhodopsin (GR). The non-covalent complex formed by the interaction between CAN and GR doubled the proton pumping speed and improved the pumping capacity by 1.5-fold. The complex also tripled the proton pumping speed and improved the pumping capacity by 5-fold in the presence of strong and weak light, respectively. Interestingly, when canthaxanthin was bound to Gloeobacter rhodopsin, it showed a 126-fold increase in heat resistance, and it survived better under drought conditions than Gloeobacter rhodopsin. The results suggest direct complementation of Gloeobacter rhodopsin with a carotenoid for primitive solar energy harvesting in cyanobacteria.
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Davis KA, Yoo S, Shuler EW, Sherman BD, Lee S, Leem G. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from biomass conversion. Nano Converg 2021; 8:6. [PMID: 33635439 PMCID: PMC7910387 DOI: 10.1186/s40580-021-00256-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Biomass has incredible potential as an alternative to fossil fuels for energy production that is sustainable for the future of humanity. Hydrogen evolution from photocatalytic biomass conversion not only produces valuable carbon-free energy in the form of molecular hydrogen but also provides an avenue of production for industrially relevant biomass products. This photocatalytic conversion can be realized with efficient, sustainable reaction materials (biomass) and inexhaustible sunlight as the only energy inputs. Reported herein is a general strategy and mechanism for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from biomass and biomass-derived substrates (including ethanol, glycerol, formic acid, glucose, and polysaccharides). Recent advancements in the synthesis and fundamental physical/mechanistic studies of novel photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from biomass conversion are summarized. Also summarized are recent advancements in hydrogen evolution efficiency regarding biomass and biomass-derived substrates. Special emphasis is given to methods that utilize unprocessed biomass as a substrate or synthetic photocatalyst material, as the development of such will incur greater benefits towards a sustainable route for the evolution of hydrogen and production of chemical feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla Alicia Davis
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Sunghoon Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, 13306, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Eric W Shuler
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - Benjamin D Sherman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Christian University, Campus Box 298860, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA
| | - Seunghyun Lee
- Department of Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do, 15588, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gyu Leem
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
- The Michael M. Szwarc Polymer Research Institute, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA.
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Li Z, Ivanenko A, Meng X, Zhang Z. Photocatalytic oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde on bismuth-based semiconductors. J Hazard Mater 2019; 380:120822. [PMID: 31319333 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.120822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methanol is widely applied in photocatalysis as a scavenger of holes, and is also studied as a model system for heterogeneous photocatalysis for the production of formaldehyde. Compared to commercial processes for formaldehyde production via thermal catalytic methanol oxidation, photocatalytic oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde may be more promising when considering the following aspects: 1) lower reaction temperature and pressure (generally operated at room temperature and ambient pressure); 2) lower cost of the energy source (such as solar light) and 3) easy-to-design reactive system. Photocatalytic methanol oxidation was carried out using four different bismuth-based semiconductors (BBS), Bi2WO6, Bi2MoO6, BiOBr and BiVO4, under varying system temperature (5-50 °C), bubbling speed (0.1-1.0 LPM), catalyst dosage (0.2-2.0 g/L), and initial methanol concentration (12.5-250 mM). It was found that the formaldehyde formation rate for all photocatalysts increased as a function of each of these system parameters. Of these four BBS, it was found that Bi2WO6 had the highest formaldehyde formation rate (0.081 mM/h). This work provides a new approach to produce formaldehyde using photocatalysis, and future work has also been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zizhen Li
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Anthony Ivanenko
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Xiangchao Meng
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
| | - Zisheng Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Liang Q. Synthesis of compositionally controllable Cu 2(Sn 1-xGe x)S 3 nanocrystals with tunable band gaps. J Nanopart Res 2016; 18:161. [PMID: 27398066 PMCID: PMC4909814 DOI: 10.1007/s11051-016-3439-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we show that compositionally controlled Cu2(Sn1-xGex)S3 nanocrystals can be successfully synthesized by the hot-injection method through careful tuning the Ge/(Sn+Ge) precursor ratio. The band gaps of the resultant nanocrystals are demonstrated to be linearly tuned from 1.45 to 2.33 eV by adjusting the composition parameter x of the Ge/(Sn+Ge) ratio from 0.0 to 1.0. The crystalline structures of the resultant NCs have been studied by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), select area electron diffraction (SAED), and Raman spectroscopy. A ligand exchange procedure is further performed to replace the native ligands on the surface of the NCs with sulfur ions. The photoresponsive behavior indicates the potential use of as-prepared Cu2(Sn1-xGex)S3 nanocrystals in solar energy conversion systems. The synthesis of compositionally controlled Cu2(Sn1-xGex)S3 nanocrystals reported herein provides a way for probing the effect of Ge inclusion in the Cu-Sn-S system thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingshuang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 People's Republic of China
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12
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Lee J, Im J, Kim S. Mediatorless solar energy conversion by covalently bonded thylakoid monolayer on the glassy carbon electrode. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 108:21-7. [PMID: 26625272 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Light reactions of photosynthesis that take place in thylakoid membranes found in plants or cyanobacteria are among the most effective ways of utilizing light. Unlike most researches that use photosystem I or photosystem II as conversion units for converting light to electricity, we have developed a simple method in which the thylakoid monolayer was covalently immobilized on the glassy carbon electrode surface. The activity of isolated thylakoid membrane was confirmed by measuring evolving oxygen under illumination. Glassy carbon surfaces were first modified with partial or full monolayers of carboxyphenyl groups by reductive C-C coupling using 4-aminobenzoic acid and aniline and then thylakoid membrane was bioconjugated through the peptide bond between amine residues of thylakoid and carboxyl groups on the surface. Surface properties of modified surfaces were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, contact angle measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Photocurrent of 230 nA cm(-2) was observed when the thylakoid monolayer was formed on the mixed monolayer of 4-carboxylpheny and benzene at applied potential of 0.4V vs. Ag/AgCl. A small photocurrent resulted when the 4-carboxyphenyl full monolayer was used. This work shows the possibility of solar energy conversion by directly employing the whole thylakoid membrane through simple surface modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhwan Lee
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Jaekyun Im
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Sunghyun Kim
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
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Larom S, Kallmann D, Saper G, Pinhassi R, Rothschild A, Dotan H, Ankonina G, Schuster G, Adir N. The Photosystem II D1-K238E mutation enhances electrical current production using cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes in a bio-photoelectrochemical cell. Photosynth Res 2015; 126:161-9. [PMID: 25588957 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-015-0075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The conversion of solar energy (SEC) to storable chemical energy by photosynthesis has been performed by photosynthetic organisms, including oxygenic cyanobacteria for over 3 billion years. We have previously shown that crude thylakoid membranes from the cyanobacterium Synechocytis sp. PCC 6803 can reduce the electron transfer (ET) protein cytochrome c even in the presence of the PSII inhibitor DCMU. Mutation of lysine 238 of the Photosystem II D1 protein to glutamic acid increased the cytochrome reduction rates, indicating the possible position of this unknown ET pathway. In this contribution, we show that D1-K238E is rather unique, as other mutations to K238, or to other residues in the same vicinity, are not as successful in cytochrome c reduction. This observation indicates the sensitivity of ET reactions to minor changes. As the next step in obtaining useful SEC from biological material, we describe the use of crude Synechocystis membranes in a bio-photovoltaic cell containing an N-acetyl cysteine-modified gold electrode. We show the production of significant current for prolonged time durations, in the presence of DCMU. Surprisingly, the presence of cytochrome c was not found to be necessary for ET to the bio-voltaic cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Larom
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dan Kallmann
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gadiel Saper
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Roy Pinhassi
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Avner Rothschild
- Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hen Dotan
- Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Guy Ankonina
- Photovoltaics Lab, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gadi Schuster
- Faculty of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Noam Adir
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, 32000, Haifa, Israel.
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Badawy WA. A review on solar cells from Si-single crystals to porous materials and quantum dots. J Adv Res 2015; 6:123-32. [PMID: 25750746 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2013.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Solar energy conversion to electricity through photovoltaics or to useful fuel through photoelectrochemical cells was still a main task for research groups and developments sectors. In this article we are reviewing the development of the different generations of solar cells. The fabrication of solar cells has passed through a large number of improvement steps considering the technological and economic aspects. The first generation solar cells were based on Si wafers, mainly single crystals. Permanent researches on cost reduction and improved solar cell efficiency have led to the marketing of solar modules having 12–16% solar conversion efficiency. Application of polycrystalline Si and other forms of Si have reduced the cost but on the expense of the solar conversion efficiency. The second generation solar cells were based on thin film technology. Thin films of amorphous Si, CIS (copper–indium–selenide) and t-Si were employed. Solar conversion efficiencies of about 12% have been achieved with a remarkable cost reduction. The third generation solar cells are based on nano-crystals and nano-porous materials. An advanced photovoltaic cell, originally developed for satellites with solar conversion efficiency of 37.3%, based on concentration of the solar spectrum up to 400 suns was developed. It is based on extremely thin concentration cells. New sensitizer or semiconductor systems are necessary to broaden the photo-response in solar spectrum. Hybrids of solar and conventional devices may provide an interim benefit in seeking economically valuable devices. New quantum dot solar cells based on CdSe–TiO2 architecture have been developed.
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