Issue 3, 2017

Biomimetic electron transport via multiredox shuttles from photosystem II to a photoelectrochemical cell for solar water splitting

Abstract

A bio-hybrid system integrating photosystem II (PSII) with artificial photocatalysts is considered as a platform to understand the solar-to-chemical energy conversion process. However, the electron transfer from PSII to artificial components remains inefficient, which hinders the favorable conversion performance. Herein, a CdS–PSII hybrid photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell is proposed for overall water splitting, where PSII and the CdS-based PEC cell are connected by an ordered multi-step electron transfer pathway comprising two redox shuttles quinone/hydroquinone and ferricyanide/ferrocyanide coupled by a graphite-based galvanic cell. The hybrid system allows overall water splitting with 8.5 μmol O2 h−1 and 17.7 μmol H2 h−1 under simulated solar light, corresponding to a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 0.34%. Moreover, the tandem light absorption from CdS to PSII both improves the light utilization efficiency and prolongs the lifetime of PSII. This work may inspire new approaches to achieve Z-scheme water splitting in the field of artificial photosynthesis.

Graphical abstract: Biomimetic electron transport via multiredox shuttles from photosystem II to a photoelectrochemical cell for solar water splitting

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Nov. 2016
Accepted
03 Janv. 2017
First published
03 Janv. 2017

Energy Environ. Sci., 2017,10, 765-771

Biomimetic electron transport via multiredox shuttles from photosystem II to a photoelectrochemical cell for solar water splitting

Z. Li, W. Wang, C. Ding, Z. Wang, S. Liao and C. Li, Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, 10, 765 DOI: 10.1039/C6EE03401B

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