Research project corresponding to the call 2020 and reference: PID2020-118593RB-C22, within the State Program of Research, Development and Innovation Oriented Challenges of the Society (Research Challenges 2020).
The efficient implementation of new routes to produce sustainable fuels and high added value products by the integration of renewable energy sources is one of the major challenges of our society. Among the non-conventional CO2 valorization routes proposed in novaCO2, artificial photosynthesis in photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells is one of the most promising strategies to achieve this purpose. However, state of the art solar-to-fuel efficiencies are still low. The required enhancement must come not only by the design and synthesis of materials for highly active photoelectrodes but also by the in depth investigation of the optoelectronic properties responsible for the performance of different materials as photocatalysts/photoelectrodes.
In this sense, we propose the assembly of tandem PEC cells composed by hybrid photoelectrodes base on inorganic and organic semiconductors. The combination of these materials will enhance the light absorption and decrease the charge recombination usually penalizing metal oxides. The utilization of both photoactive electrodes (photoanode and photocathode) will increase the achieved photovoltage and therefore decrease the required external potential, setting it on the path to the desired zero-biasedCO2 photoelectrochemical reduction.
Partners: ICP-CSIC (Coordinator); IMDEA Energy Institute
Funding Institution/Program: MCIN/ AEI /10.13039/501100011033 / Research Challenges 2020
Period: September 2021-August 2024
IMDEA Energy Institute external funding: 145.200 €
IPs IMDEA Energy: Dr. Mariam Barawi / Dr. Fernando Fresno
