Molecular Systems for Solar H₂: Path to a Renewable Future

Abstract

Driving the global energy system into a sustainable path is progressively becoming a major concern and worldwide policy objective. Fossil fuels serve as the primary energy source for most of the world's energy requirements. Hydrogen has great potential as an environmentally clean energy fuel and as a way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The basic mechanism for natural photosynthesis is described along with different artificial photosynthetic systems, giving special attention to molecular photocatalysts. Emphasis is given to the recent advancements in design and development of bimolecular photocatalysts for the generation of H₂. These molecular systems have a key role to play in the next generation of solar fuel devices.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• artificial photosynthesis
• intermolecular and intramolecular photocatalysis
• natural photosynthesis
• renewable energy
• solar hydrogen

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author is indebted to his former mentors, Prof. Han Vos and Dr. Mary T. Pryce, who inspired his early passion for molecular design, synthesis, and application of inorganic metal complexes and guided his career into the field of Solar Fuels during his graduate research at Dublin City University, Ireland. The author is grateful to Dr. Suresh Das (Director, CSIR-NIIST, Trivandrum) for the inspiration, guidance, and support given by him since his undergraduate research period. The author also expresses his gratitude to Dr. Mohammad Omary (University of North Texas, USA) for the warm invitation given by him to submit a paper to the special issue of Comments at the 247th ACS Meeting in Dallas, TX. The author is also thankful to Mr. Kiran J. S for the art work.