Themed collection Recent Advances in Solar Energy Conversion and Utilization

21 items
Perspective

A perspective on fabricating carbon-based nanomaterials by photocatalysis and their applications

Synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials through either a photocatalytic oxidative or photocatalytic reductive pathway.

Graphical abstract: A perspective on fabricating carbon-based nanomaterials by photocatalysis and their applications
Perspective

Applications of light scattering in dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper reviews the applications of light scattering in DSCs over the past two decades and some recent progress in this topic.

Graphical abstract: Applications of light scattering in dye-sensitized solar cells
Minireview

Wavefunction engineering in quantum confined semiconductor nanoheterostructures for efficient charge separation and solar energy conversion

Electron and hole wavefunctions in semiconductor nanoheterostructures can be tuned to improve their light harvesting and charge separation properties.

Graphical abstract: Wavefunction engineering in quantum confined semiconductor nanoheterostructures for efficient charge separation and solar energy conversion
Review Article

Hierarchical TiO2 microspheres: synthesis, structural control and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), as a type of promising energy conversion device, have received much attention in the past two decades due to their high efficiency and low cost.

Graphical abstract: Hierarchical TiO2 microspheres: synthesis, structural control and their applications in dye-sensitized solar cells
Review Article

Iodine/iodide-free redox shuttles for liquid electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells

A timely review of published iodine/iodide-free redox shuttles for liquid electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Iodine/iodide-free redox shuttles for liquid electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Review Article

Morphology characterization in organic and hybrid solar cells

Deciphering complex, multiple-length-scale structures within organic and hybrid photovoltaics requires diverse techniques.

Graphical abstract: Morphology characterization in organic and hybrid solar cells
Tutorial Review

Excitation energy transfer in multiporphyrin arrays with cyclic architectures: towards artificial light-harvesting antenna complexes

This tutorial review highlights the mechanisms and rates of excitation energy transfer in a variety of cyclic porphyrin arrays revealed by time-resolved spectroscopic measurements.

Graphical abstract: Excitation energy transfer in multiporphyrin arrays with cyclic architectures: towards artificial light-harvesting antenna complexes
Tutorial Review

Thermodynamics and kinetics of CO2, CO, and H+ binding to the metal centre of CO2reductioncatalysts

This tutorial review describes CO2 reduction with particular focus on studying the thermodynamics and kinetics of CO2 binding to metal catalysts.

Graphical abstract: Thermodynamics and kinetics of CO2, CO, and H+ binding to the metal centre of CO2reductioncatalysts
Tutorial Review

Charge transfer in organic molecules for solar cells: theoretical perspective

Theoretical approaches for charge transfer rates from weak to strong electronic coupling in organic molecules for solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Charge transfer in organic molecules for solar cells: theoretical perspective
Tutorial Review

Photosensitized electron transfer processes of nanocarbons applicable to solar cells

Supramolecularly modified carbon nanomaterials with photosensitizing electron donor or acceptor molecules for light energy harvesting applications are reported.

Graphical abstract: Photosensitized electron transfer processes of nanocarbons applicable to solar cells
Analysis

Trends in patent applications for dye-sensitized solar cells

Patent applications for dye-sensitized solar cell technology have been analyzed over time, as well as technical, organizational, and geographical trends.

Graphical abstract: Trends in patent applications for dye-sensitized solar cells
Communication

CoFe2O4 on a porous Al2O3 nanostructure for solar thermochemical CO2 splitting

We introduce the application of “hercynite chemistry” in a nano-engineered structure for the solar thermochemical CO2 process.

Graphical abstract: CoFe2O4 on a porous Al2O3 nanostructure for solar thermochemical CO2 splitting
Communication

Solar driven hydrogen releasing from urea and human urine

Solar driven hydrogen releasing from urea and human urine is achieved at zero-bias with the assistance of Ni(OH)2-modified TiO2 nanowires.

Graphical abstract: Solar driven hydrogen releasing from urea and human urine
Paper

Disentangling the impact of side chains and fluorine substituents of conjugated donor polymers on the performance of photovoltaic blends

Simultaneous incorporation of bulky side chains and fluorine substituents on the conjugated backbone leads to highly efficient polymer solar cells.

Graphical abstract: Disentangling the impact of side chains and fluorine substituents of conjugated donor polymers on the performance of photovoltaic blends
Paper

Nickel oxide nanostructured electrodes towards perylenediimide-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In this work, we have realized nickel oxide (NiO) electrodes that serve as photocathodes in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (p-DSSCs) sensitized by dendronized perylenediimides (PDIs).

Graphical abstract: Nickel oxide nanostructured electrodes towards perylenediimide-based dye-sensitized solar cells
Paper

Effects of water intrusion on the charge-carrier dynamics, performance, and stability of dye-sensitized solar cells

Adding 10% water alters the energy level alignments and reduces recombination but has no effect on transport and cell stability.

Graphical abstract: Effects of water intrusion on the charge-carrier dynamics, performance, and stability of dye-sensitized solar cells
Paper

Visible-light-driven nonsacrificial water oxidation over tungsten trioxide powder modified with two different cocatalysts

Nonsacrificial water oxidation over PtOx/WO3 in aqueous NaIO3 solution is enhanced upon modification by an O2 evolution cocatalyst.

Graphical abstract: Visible-light-driven nonsacrificial water oxidation over tungsten trioxide powder modified with two different cocatalysts
Paper

Visible light driven photocatalytic evolution of hydrogen from water over CdS encapsulated MCM-48 materials

The photocatalytic activity of the CdS incorporated MCM-48 mesoporous photocatalysts was found to be dependent on the CdS loading and the pore size of MCM-48 siliceous support. The highest solar hydrogen evolution rate by visible light irradiation from the splitting of water was determined to be 1.81 mmol h−1 per gCdS and the apparent quantum yield was estimated to be 16.6%.

Graphical abstract: Visible light driven photocatalytic evolution of hydrogen from water over CdS encapsulated MCM-48 materials
Paper

Improving the photocatalytic performance of graphene–TiO2 nanocomposites via a combined strategy of decreasing defects of graphene and increasing interfacial contact

Incessant interest has been shown in the synthesis of graphene (GR)–semiconductor nanocomposites as photocatalysts aiming to utilize the excellent electron conductivity of GR to lengthen the lifetime of photoexcited charge carriers in the semiconductor and, hence, improve the photoactivity.

Graphical abstract: Improving the photocatalytic performance of graphene–TiO2 nanocomposites via a combined strategy of decreasing defects of graphene and increasing interfacial contact
Paper

Dye adsorption, desorption, and distribution in mesoporous TiO2 films, and its effects on recombination losses in dye sensitized solar cells

Novel results from the application of common sense and robust methods to characterize electron transfer from dye-coated TiO2 to iodine.

Graphical abstract: Dye adsorption, desorption, and distribution in mesoporous TiO2 films, and its effects on recombination losses in dye sensitized solar cells
Paper

Syngas production by simultaneous splitting of H2O and CO2via ceria redox reactions in a high-temperature solar reactor

A 2-step thermochemical redox cycle is performed in a solar cavity receiver-reactor directly exposed to concentrated (>2800 suns) thermal radiation.

Graphical abstract: Syngas production by simultaneous splitting of H2O and CO2via ceria redox reactions in a high-temperature solar reactor
21 items

About this collection

Energy & Environmental Science, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP) and RSC Advances are delighted to present a themed-collection highlighting research on ‘Recent Advances in Solar Energy Conversion and Utilization’ in connection with a symposium held at the ACS National Meeting & Exposition in March 2012, Guest Edited by Ranjit Koodali and Velu Subramani.

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