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Solar tracking systems allow an increase in the use of solar energy for its conversion with photovoltaic technology due to the alignment with the sun. However, there is a compromise between tracking accuracy and the energy required to perform the movement action. Consequently, the wear of the tracker components increases, reducing its useful lifetime and affecting the profitability of these systems. The present research develops a novel tracking strategy based on real-time measurements to increase the lifetime without reducing the energy productivity of the tracking systems. The proposed approach is verified experimentally by implementing the real-time decision-making algorithm and a conventional tracking algorithm in identical tracking systems under the same weather conditions. The proposed strategy reduces energy consumption by 14.18 % due to the tracking action, maintaining a practically identical energy generation between both systems. The findings highlight a 53.33 % reduction in the movements required for tracking and a 60.77 % reduction in operation time, which translates into a 6.8 -fold increase in the lifetime of the solar tracking system under the experimental conditions applied. The results are promising, so this research initiates and motivates the development of more complex models to increase the useful life of the tracking systems and their profitability and environmental impact concurrently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared (NIR) absorbing electron donor‐acceptor (D−A) chromophores have been at the forefront of current energy research owing to their facile charge transfer (CT) characteristics, which are primitive for photovoltaic applications. Herein, we have designed and developed a new set of benzothiadiazole (BTD)‐based tetracyanobutadiene (TCBD)/dicyanoquinodimethane (DCNQ)‐embedded multimodular D−A systems (BTD1‐BTD6) and investigated their inherent photo‐electro‐chemical responses for the first time having identical and mixed terminal donors of variable donicity. Apart from poor luminescence, the appearance of broad low‐lying optical transitions extendable even in the NIR region (>1000 nm), particularly in the presence of the auxiliary acceptors, are indicative of underlying nonradiative excited state processes leading to robust intramolecular CT and subsequent charge separation (CS) processes in these D−A constructs. While electrochemical studies identify the moieties involved in these photo‐events, orbital delocalization and consequent evidence for the low‐energy CT transitions have been achieved from theoretical calculations. Finally, the spectral and temporal responses of different photoproducts are obtained from femtosecond transient absorption studies, which, coupled with spectroelectrochemical data, identify broad NIR signals as CS states of the compounds. All the systems are found to be susceptible to ultrafast (~ps) CT and CS before carrier recombination to the ground state, which is, however, significantly facilitated after incorporation of the secondary TCBD/DCNQ acceptors, leading to faster and thus efficient CT processes, particularly in polar solvents. These findings, including facile CT/CS and broad and intense panchromatic absorption over a wide window of the electromagnetic spectrum, are likely to expand the horizons of BTD‐based multimodular CT systems to revolutionize the realm of solar energy conversion and associated photonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar rechargeable batteries (SRBs), as an emerging technology for harnessing solar energy, integrate the advantages of photochemical devices and redox batteries to synergistically couple dual‐functional materials capable of both light harvesting and redox activity. This enables direct solar‐to‐electrochemical energy storage within a single system. However, the mismatch in energy levels between coupled photochemical storage materials (PSMs) and the occurrence of side reactions with liquid electrolytes during charge‐discharge cycles lead to a decrease in solar energy conversion efficiency. This impedes the advancement of SRBs. This review comprehensively discusses of the latest advancements in PSMs, which are crucial for designing advanced SRBs. It delves into an extensive discussion of the design criteria for dual‐functional photochemical storage cathodes (PSCs) and elucidates the operational mechanism of SRBs. Additionally, it further discusses the performance, efficiency, and long‐term cycle stability of SRBs in relation to photoelectronic and photothermal mechanisms. Finally, an outlook on primary challenges and prospects that SRBs will encounter is provided to offer novel insights for their technological advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Norbornadiene‐based photoswitches have emerged as promising candidates for harnessing and storing solar energy, holding great promise as a viable solution to meet the growing energy demands. Despite their potential, the effectiveness of their direct photochemical conversion into the resulting quadricyclanes has room for improvement owing to (i) moderate quantum yields, (ii) poor overlap with the solar spectrum and (iii) photochemical back reactions. Herein, we present an approach to enhance the performance of such molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST) systems through the triplet‐sensitized conversion of aryl‐substituted norbornadienes. Our study combines deep spectroscopic analyses, irradiation experiments, and quantum mechanical calculations to elucidate the energy transfer mechanism and inherent advantages of the resulting MOST systems. We demonstrate remarkable quantum yields using readily available sensitizers under both LED and solar light irradiation, significantly surpassing those achieved through direct excitation with photons of higher energy. In contrast to the conventional approach, light‐induced back reactions of the high‐energy products do not play any role, allowing quantitative switching within minutes. These results not only underscore the potential of triplet‐sensitized MOST systems to leverage the high energy storage capabilities of multistate photoswitches but they might also stimulate the broader usage of sensitization strategies in photochemical energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites with suitable energy band structures and excellent visible-light responses have emerged as promising photocatalysts for CO2 reduction to valuable chemicals and fuels. However, the efficiency of CO2 photocatalytic reduction often suffers from inefficient separation and sluggish transfer. Herein, a step-scheme (S-scheme) CsPbBr3/BiOBr photocatalyst with oxygen vacancies possessing intimate interfacial contact was fabricated by anchoring CsPbBr3 QDs on BiOBr-Ov nanosheets using a mild anti-precipitation method. The results showed that CsPbBr3/BiOBr-Ov-2 with an internal electric field (IEF) heterojunction exhibited a boosted evolution rate of 27.4 μmol g−1 h−1 (CO: 23.8 μmol g−1 h−1 and CH4: 3.6 μmol g−1 h−1) with an electron consumption rate (Relectron) of 76.4 μmol g−1 h−1, which was 5.9 and 3.2 times that of single CsPbBr3 and BiOBr-Ov, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that BiOBr with oxygen vacancies can effectively enhance the adsorption and activation of CO2 molecules. More importantly, in situ infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) spectra show the transformation process of the surface species, while the femtosecond transient absorption spectrum (fs-TA) reveals the charge transfer kinetics of the CsPbBr3/BiOBr-Ov. Overall, this work provides some guidance for the rational design of S-scheme heterojunctions and vacancy-engineered photocatalysts, which are expected to have potential applications in the fields of photocatalysis and solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A power processing system (PPS) with a seven‐level dual‐buck inverter (SLDBI) for a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is proposed. The PPS is comprised of a boost power converter and an SLDBI. The boost power converter matches the voltage of the PV array with that of the SLDBI and functions as the maximum power point tracker for the PV array. The SLDBI consists of a dual‐buck bridge converter (DBBC) and a three‐level DC converter (TLDC). The DBBC effectively reduces leakage current in the PPS and prevents current from flowing through the parallel body diode of the power switches, allowing the use of MOSFETs as power electronic switches to enhance power efficiency. The TLDC is structured as a semi‐controlled full‐bridge system to generate a three‐level DC voltage. Besides, the DBBC and TLDC produce a seven‐level AC voltage and drive a sinusoidal current to the utility. The SLDBI reduces both the filter inductor size and the switching loss of power switches. With only six power switches, it simplifies the power circuit. A hardware prototype has been built to experimentally verify the proposed PPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of solar energy by light conversion processes in both natural and artificial photosynthesis systems has become a pivotal means of sustaining a consistent power supply for our daily lives and production. In general, these reactions rely on the visible spectra region where the sun produces abundant energy according to the black body's emission. Further expanding the adoption of the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region through upconversion has become an intelligent strategy to improve the entire utilization rate of solar energy. In this work, the two-photon upconversion (TPUC) properties were discovered in CsPbBr3 nanoplates (NPs) emitted at 450 nm, and a sub-gap energy level was observed to serve as the center to facilitate the upconversion process. The excitation threshold for TPUC is drastically lower than that for the two-photon absorption, another nonlinear upconversion path that requires strengthened excitation power. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between the excitation threshold for TPUC in the CsPbBr3 NPs and the exciton binding energy was unveiled, which could be attributed to the enhanced quantum confinement effects. Our work paved the way for a feasible way to expand the utilization of the NIR spectral region in light conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial solar evaporation, harnessing sunlight to induce water molecule evaporation, holds great promise for sustainable solar energy conversion. However, challenges such as reduced efficiency and instability due to salt accumulation, inadequate water transport, and the high cost of advanced nanostructured solar evaporators collectively hinder the sustainable and large‐scale practical use of this technology. Herein, an eco‐friendly, floatable 3D solar seawater evaporator is developed by innovatively incorporating a lightweight foam ball enclosed in a porous cellulose hydrogel. The 3D evaporator achieves a high water evaporation rate of ≈2.01 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 Sun, owing to its super high photothermal efficiency of 117.9% and efficient internal water transport channels. Even at a 0° simulated solar angle, the 3D evaporator maintains 85.8% of the evaporation rate at a 90° simulated solar angle. Moreover, the salt self‐cleaning capability is realized by the autonomous rotation caused by salt deposition. Particularly, the 3D evaporator can be fabricated over a large area and maintain seawater evaporation performance and structural integrity for 28 days. This study provides novel economically feasible and sustainable large‐scale solutions for interfacial solar‐powered seawater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work utilizes density functional theory (DFT) to analyze the structural, thermodynamic, mechanical, electro-optic, and electron transport characteristics of Rb2CuAsX6 (X = F, Cl, Br) perovskites. The impact of occupancy of different halide ions at the X-site on the thermodynamic, mechanical, optical, and thermoelectric response of studied compounds has also been evaluated. The investigation of the elastic parameters and formation energy has confirmed that the examined perovskites are cubic in structure, stable, and ductile. The thermodynamic characteristics that rely on temperature are estimated using the quasi-harmonic Debye approach. The thermal features such as entropy, heat capacity, and Debye temperature are calculated and analyzed to assess the stability at elevated temperatures and the suitability of compounds for industrial applications. The band structure computations identified Rb2CuAsF6, Rb2CuAsCl6, and Rb2CuAsBr6 are p-type semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 1.25, 1.10, and 0.83 eV, respectively, which decreases while substituting F with Cl and Br. The optical characteristics such as strong optical absorption (> 105 cm−1) and minimal dispersion in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum highlight their suitability for solar energy conversion and optoelectronics. Additionally, thermoelectric characteristics have been determined, showing a higher thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) value of 0.80, 0.79, and 0.78, respectively, at room temperature. Our research anticipates these perovskite combinations exhibit superior photoelectric and thermoelectric efficiency, rendering them potential prospects for advanced photovoltaic and thermoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect has garnered extensive attention in semiconductor photocatalysis for solar energy conversion, thanks to its remarkable optical properties. However, the majority SPR‐induced photocatalytic systems have been limited to achieving hydrogen evolution or oxygen evolution half reactions, and attaining overall water splitting on a SPR‐induced photocatalyst under visible light remains a formidable challenging. In this study, we employed a plasmonic photocatalyst Au/SrTiO3, and further enhanced its performance by doping aluminum (Al) into the SrTiO3 lattice (denoted as Au/SrTiO3:Al). By constructing reduction cocatalyst (RhCrOx) and oxidation cocatalyst (CoOOH), the Au/SrTiO3:Al photocatalyst successfully realizes photocatalytic overall water splitting with a stoichiometric ratio of H2 and O2 under visible light (λ≥440 nm). We revealed that the introduction of Al species effectively modified the electronic structure of SrTiO3, thereby enhancing the hydrogen evolution reaction in Au/SrTiO3:Al. Simultaneously, the RhCrOx and CoOOH cocatalysts synergistically capitalized on the short‐lived hot electrons and holes generated by the plasmonic Au/SrTiO3:Al photocatalyst, enabling to realize photocatalytic overall water splitting. This work offers a promising avenue for the rational design of plasmon‐induced overall water splitting photocatalysts through the integration of suitable cocatalysts and surface/interface engineering strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alongside the unique photophysical properties, porphyrin derivatives play key roles in light harvesting of photosynthetic organisms. Due to their symmetrical structure, porphyrin derivatives serve as excellent building blocks for various porous materials, encompassing metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks, and amorphous porous organic polymers. These materials capitalize on the beneficial characteristics of porphyrins, such as their absorption capabilities, redox activity, and coordination chemistry, while leveraging the surface area and porosity inherent in porous frameworks. Porphyrin-based porous materials are explored for diverse applications including gas storage, energy storage, catalysis, separation, sensing, and environmental remediation. Owing to their excellent photophysical properties, these nanoporous materials are suitable for light harvesting and photocatalysis applications. This review emphasizes the potential of artificial light-harvesting catalysts based on porphyrin-based porous materials for solar energy applications. Researchers aim to optimize material properties and design innovative architectures to enhance performance in solar energy conversion and photocatalytic applications, making this a rapidly evolving field. Specific applications discussed in the review include photocatalytic CO2 reduction, photocatalytic water splitting, and perspectives on future developments in the field of porphyrin-based nanoporous materials for artificial light harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise regulation of phase structure and energy band distribution in CdS endow it with improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity. [Display omitted] • A controllable phase structure modulation is implemented in phase junction CdS. • The transition region is introduced by suitable boundary width in phase junction. • The band distribution transmission mode is optimized by above cooperative effect. • Outstanding photocatalytic H 2 production is achieved in the phase junction system. An in-depth understanding of structure-activity relationship between the phase constitution and solar-to-hydrogen (STH) conversion efficiency is conducive to guiding the optimization route of targeted photocatalyst candidates, further establishing advanced photocatalytic systems. Herein, based on the concept of phase engineering, we encompassed the crystalline phase of CdS and achieved precise regulation of phase proportion as well as phase boundary width in the phase junction for the first time. The above cooperative effect not only modifies energy band distribution for sufficient redox potentials, but also guarantees the reverse migration orientation of photogenerated carriers in phase junction, thereby endowing photocarriers with a prolonged lifetime. Compared to pure cubic or hexagonal phase (72.6 or 101.1 μmol h−1 g−1), this CdS system with optimized phase junction demonstrates an improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of 1.04 mmol h−1 g−1 and favorable stability without cocatalyst assistance, which mainly stems from an efficient protons reduction process interacting with long-lived photogenerated electrons. This research explores the mechanism behind phase regulation and its relationship with junction capability, providing a powerful strategy to manipulate crystal phase distribution and paving a feasible avenue for other phase-dependent photocatalysts towards rational design of heterostructures based on different phases in solar energy conversion field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites like methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) have received extensive attention in solar energy conversion due to their superb optoelectronic properties. However, the serious charge recombination at the nanoscale domain and the lack of catalytic sites on the perovskite's surface seriously limit their photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activities. Taking MAPbI3 as a typical example, we show that coupling amorphous molybdenum phosphide (MoP) cocatalyst with MAPbI3 can significantly enhance the photocatalytic H2 evolution performance of MAPbI3. The MoP coupling can accelerate the electron extraction from MAPbI3 and promote the hydrogen evolution reaction catalysis. Consequently, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity of MoP/MAPbI3 is ca. 97 times higher than that of bare MAPbI3. Moreover, the MoP/MAPbI3 exhibits good stability during cycling tests. This work demonstrates the possibility of employing amorphous MoP as a non-noble metal-based cocatalyst in a hybrid perovskite-based photocatalytic hydrogen production reaction. Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) loaded with molybdenum phosphide (MoP) cocatalyst demonstrates 97 times higher photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity than bare MAPbI3 from HI splitting reaction under visible light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrification of vehicles has emerged as a pivotal technique for addressing environmental concerns and reducing reliance on conventional fuel sources. Conversely, the best way to incorporate renewable energy into electric vehicles (EVs) is still a challenging task, particularly in enhancing the performance of EVs through efficient energy management. The transition to EVs has gained momentum as part of global efforts to mitigate environmental impacts and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This paper proposes a hybrid method for enhancing EV performance through buck‐boost converters with renewable energy integration. The proposed technique is the joined execution of Flying Foxes Optimization (FFO) and Viscoelastic Constitutive Artificial Neural Networks (vCANNs) techniques. The proposed method's goal is to enhance the energy efficiency, minimize EV charging cost, and mitigating environmental impacts. The renewable energy sources: solar panels, fuel cells, and wind turbines, are integrated into the EV power system through buck‐boost converters. The buck‐boost converter's control signal is optimized through the FFO method. vCANNs are used to predict these control parameters. The proposed strategy is executed in MATLAB software and is compared with existing strategies. In comparison with other current approaches like particle swarm optimization, heap based optimizer, and wild horse optimize, the proposed method achieves a high efficiency of 99% and low cost of 0.05 €/KWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal conversion technology presents a promising approach for harnessing solar energy to facilitate seawater desalination. However, salts will accumulate on the surface of the photothermal conversion structure during seawater desalination, which hinders solar energy absorption. Meanwhile, the photothermal conversion structure directly immersing in a large water body results in a large heat dissipation loss. Both factors impair solar energy conversion and water steam generation. To address the issues, inspired by a ginseng plant (with a trunk‐to‐branch water supply system), a 3D cotton‐based photothermal evaporator with tunable water supply is facilely designed herein via simple cloak‐weaving of a porphyrin‐based conjugated microporous polymer (PPCMP) as the photothermal conversion material. The as‐designed 3D cloak‐like photothermal evaporator achieves an equilibrium between the water supply flux and evaporation rate via optimizing PPCMP weaving and the water path. As a result, a high evaporation rate of 2.81 kg m−2 h−1 and photothermal conversion efficiency of 155% are obtained under 1 sun illumination. The findings underline the importance of 3D porous organic polymer‐based fabrics as effective media for harnessing solar energy and highlight their potential for seawater desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of solar light to accelerate chemical processes (photocatalysis) has the potential to alleviate the pollution and energy crises. Thanks to their large surface area, unusual electronic structure, and abundance of low‐coordinate surface atoms, 2D semiconductors have shown enormous promise in photocatalytic applications. The synthesis, photoexcitation processes, design, and development of 2D semiconductor photocatalysts are thoroughly examined in this perspective, as well as their possible applications in air purification, solar energy conversion, organic synthesis, carbon capture and storage, and water treatment. This work highlights ongoing research efforts focused on improving the selectivity and efficiency of photocatalytic applications based on 2D semiconductors by means of hybrid systems, heterostructures, doping, and computational methodologies, together with open challenges. Finally, the integration of 2D semiconductor photocatalysts into indoor and outdoor environments is discussed, thereby facilitating the purification of air and water and generating clean energy, which assists in the pursuit of sustainable development objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, environmental pollutants have become more hazardous to both human health and eco-systems. One potential method for cleaning up the environment is eco-friendly semiconductor photocatalysis. There are several types of mechanism associated with semiconductor photocatalysis, in that, Step-scheme (S-scheme) photocatalysis (SSPC)grabbed plenty of interest in the domain of developing and transforming solar fuel due to their effective charge spatial separation and robust redox capabilities. Herein, this article highlights and summarizes the most recent advancements in S-scheme heterojunctions photocatalysis (SSHJPC); also, briefly encapsulate the process, reaction principle, Mechanism, Synthesis strategies, Frontier characterization techniques and their applications in solar energy conversion. Finally, conclusions are drawn and future prospects for solar energy conversion issues are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the imperative need for advancements in thermoelectric generation, this study pioneers an analysis of nanofluid-cooled solar segmented thermoelectric generators with non-uniform cross-sections. Insights into thermal management, structural integrity, and economic efficiency in thermoelectric systems are provided, employing a numerical model that accurately represents thermoelectric effects by accounting for temperature dependencies of semiconductor materials. Through research, exploration of diverse coolant strategies, including TiO2, Fe3O4, Al2O3, and graphene, offers key insights into their impact on cooling dynamics. Findings demonstrate that graphene nanofluid, operating at a flow velocity of 2 m/s, outperforms others, achieving optimal power generation of 221.77 mW and an exergy efficiency of 8.99 %. Additionally, at a concentrated irradiance of 595 kWm−2, graphene leads in environmental benefits, with the highest CO2 savings of 0.38 kgyr−1, and demonstrates economic advantages with a cost-effective dollar per mW value of 3.79×10−6 $mW−1. Furthermore, the study verifies the structural integrity of these systems, with graphene achieving an optimal von Mises stress of 1.35 GPa at a semiconductor height of 0.2 mm. These advancements contribute to environmentally friendly and high-performance generators for sustainable energy solutions, paving the way for future innovations in thermoelectric technology.

Abstract A power processing system (PPS) with a seven‐level dual‐buck inverter (SLDBI) for a photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is proposed. The PPS is comprised of a boost power converter and an SLDBI. The boost power converter matches the voltage of the PV array with that of the SLDBI and functions as the maximum power point tracker for the PV array. The SLDBI consists of a dual‐buck bridge converter (DBBC) and a three‐level DC converter (TLDC). The DBBC effectively reduces leakage current in the PPS and prevents current from flowing through the parallel body diode of the power switches, allowing the use of MOSFETs as power electronic switches to enhance power efficiency. The TLDC is structured as a semi‐controlled full‐bridge system to generate a three‐level DC voltage. Besides, the DBBC and TLDC produce a seven‐level AC voltage and drive a sinusoidal current to the utility. The SLDBI reduces both the filter inductor size and the switching loss of power switches. With only six power switches, it simplifies the power circuit. A hardware prototype has been built to experimentally verify the proposed PPS.

Enhancing the utilization of absorbed light is essential for enhancing the efficiency of solar energy conversion via artificial photosynthesis. In this work, we report the successful incorporation of Rhodamine B (RhB) into the pore of ZIF-8 (ZIF = zeolitic imidazolate framework) and the efficient energy transfer process from RhB to Co-doped ZIF-8. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, we show that energy transfer only occurs from RhB (donor) to Co center (acceptor) when RhB is confined into the ZIF-8 structure, which is in stark contrast to the system based on the physical mixture of RhB with Co-doped ZIF-8, where negligible energy transfer was observed. In addition, energy transfer efficiency increases with the concentration of Co and reaches a plateau when the molar ratio of Co to RhB reaches 32. These results suggest that RhB confined in the ZIF-8 structure is essential for energy transfer to occur, and energy transfer efficiency can be controlled by tuning the concentration of acceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports the preparation of three types of 3D lignin-derived porous carbons (LPCs) based PCM composites for efficient solar energy conversion and storage. The resulting PW/HLPC displays higher enthalpy (123.4 kJ/kg), superior solar-thermal conversion and storage efficiency (95 %), and favorable photoelectricity conversion performance (174.5 mV). PW/HLPC also maintains good structure stability and leakage-proof property at 90 °C. Based on the above advantages, the as-prepared PW/HLPCs not only enable the high-value utilization of lignin, but also exhibit great potential for practical application in solar-induced energy conversion, and storage. [Display omitted] • Three lignin-derived porous carbons are prepared through in-situ activation. • The thermal conductivity of resultant composites is significantly enhanced. • The enthalpy of composites maintains almost no change after 300 thermal cycles. • The composites show a high photothermal energy conversion and storage efficiency (95%). • The composites possess favorable solar-electrical energy conversion. Utilization of three-dimensional biomass-derived porous carbons can effectively address issues of easy leakage, low thermal conductivity, and weak photothermal conversion of phase change materials (PCMs). This enables the production of high-performance composites for solar-induced energy collection, conversion, and storage. In this study, hierarchical lignin-derived porous carbon (HLPC), microporous lignin-derived porous carbon (MILPC) and mesoporous lignin-derived porous carbon (MELPC) were prepared through high-temperature in-situ activation using lignosulphonate (LS) as a carbon precursor and CaCO 3 , KOH and ZnCO 3 as activators. Carbon-based PCM composites with high performance were obtained by encapsulating paraffin wax (PW) in porous carbon supports. Results demonstrated that PW/HLPC exhibited comprehensive performance superior to other tested PW composites owing to its higher specific surface area (2,358 m2/g), larger pore volume (1.1 cm3/g) and well-interconnected framework structure. Additionally, PW/HLPC displayed relatively high latent heat (123.4 kJ/kg), photothermal conversion and storage efficiency (95 %), and photoelectric conversion performance (174.5 mV). Moreover, PW/HLPC also showed better leak-proof properties at 90 °C. The cycling stability and photothermal conversion performance of PW/HLPC were superior to those of the selected crude biochar-based PW composites. This study highlights the advantages of the prepared PW/HLPC for both the high-value utilization of lignin and its practical applications in solar-induced energy harvest, conversion, and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Cu atom clusters/PtCu alloy nanocubes coloaded on nitrogen-rich triazole-based C 3 N 5 with dipole field was successfully constructed to achieve a record-high performance with H 2 formation rate through the synergistic effect between Cu atom clusters, PtCu alloy and C 3 N 5. [Display omitted] Utilizing spontaneous polarization field to harness charge transfer kinetics is a promising strategy to boost photocatalytic performance. Herein, a novel Cu atom clusters/PtCu alloy nanocubes coloaded on nitrogen-rich triazole-based C 3 N 5 (PtCu-C 3 N 5) with dipole field was constructed through facile photo-deposition and impregnation method. The dipole field-drive spontaneous polarization in C 3 N 5 acts as a charge-transfer bridge to promote directional electron migration from C 3 N 5 to Cu atom clusters/PtCu alloy. Through the synergistic effects between Cu atom clusters, PtCu alloy and dipole field in C 3 N 5 , the optimized Pt 2 Cu 3 -C 3 N 5 achieved a record-high performance with H 2 formation rate of 4090.4 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light, about 154.4-fold increase compared with pristine C 3 N 5 (26.5 μmol g−1 h−1). Moreover, the apparent quantum efficiency was up to 25.33 % at 320 nm, which is greatly superior than most previous related-works. The directional charge transfer mechanism was analyzed in detail through various characterizations and DFT calculations. This work offers a novel pathway to construct high-efficiency multi-metal photocatalysts for solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (ECO 2 R) to value-added chemicals offers a promising approach to both mitigate CO 2 emission and facilitate renewable energy conversion. We demonstrate a solar energy powered ECO 2 R system operating at a relatively large current density (57 mA cm−2) using In 2 O 3 nanosheets (NSs) as the cathode and a commercial perovskite solar cell as the electricity generator, which achieves the high solar to formate energy conversion efficiency of 6.6 %. The significantly enhanced operative current density with a fair solar energy conversion efficiency on In 2 O 3 NSs can be ascribed to their high activity and selectivity for formate production, as well as the fast kinetics for ECO 2 R. The Faradic efficiencies (FEs) of formate In 2 O 3 NSs are all above 93 %, with the partial current density of formate ranging from 2.3 to 342 mA cm−2 in a gas diffusion flow cell, which is among the widest for formate production on In-based catalysts. In-situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations reveal that the exceptional performances of formate production on In 2 O 3 NSs originates from the presence of abundant low coordinated edge sites, which effectively promote the selective adsorption of *OCHO while inhibiting *H adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The CeNi QDs/Ni-MOL nanosheets robust heterojunction construction was successfully fabricated. • The strong interaction between the two components accelerated charges transfer and efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. • CeNi QDs provide reactive sites for photocatalytic CO 2 RR and enable the catalysts enhanced adsorption strength of key intermediate CO 2 * and COOH*. • Mechanistic studies with in situ DRIFTS experiment and the DFT calculation, indicate the photocatalyst favors CO 2 absorption and CO desorption. Since the intensification of global environmental pollution and energy shortages, photocatalytic CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) has emerged as a promising strategy to convert solar energy into clean chemical energy. Herein, we construct a robust and efficient heterojunction construction photocatalyst for CO 2 RR, composed of the highly reactive CeNi quantum dots (CeNi QDs) and nickel metal–organic layer (Ni-MOL) ultrathin nanosheets. This design facilitates the rapid separation of photogenerated charge carriers, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and other characterizations. Mechanistic studies with in situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) and the d-band center calculation indicate that the propensity of photocatalyst for CO 2 absorption and CO desorption, leading to high performance and selectivity. The optimized loading amount of CeNi quantum dots and modified structure result in a CO yield of 30.53 mmol·g−1 within 6 h under irradiation. This work not only paves a new and convenient way for developing high-activity quantum dot materials for CO 2 RR but also exploits novel avenues to fabricate more heterojunction composites for solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The layered chalcogenide ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS) exhibits photo-stability and a tunable band gap but is limited in photocatalytic applications, such as hydrogen (H 2) production, due to rapid carrier recombination and slow charge separation. To overcome these limitations, we have synthesized a ternary MoS 2 /ZIS/graphene quantum dots (GQDs) heterojunction, wherein MoS 2 and GQDs are strategically attached to ZIS interlaced nanoflakes, enhancing light absorption across the 500–1500 nm range. This heterojunction benefits from dual S-scheme interfaces between MoS 2 -ZIS and ZIS-GQDs, establishing directed internal electric fields (IEFs). These IEFs accelerate the transfer of photoinduced electrons from the conduction bands of MoS 2 and GQDs to the valence band of ZIS, promoting rapid recombination with holes and facilitating efficient catalytic reactions with plentiful photoinduced electrons stemmed from the conduction band of ZIS. As a result, the photocatalytic H 2 production rate of the MoS 2 /ZIS/GQDs heterojunction is measured at 21.63 mmol h−1 g−1, marking an increase of 36.7 times over pure ZIS. This research provides valuable insights into designing novel heterojunctions for improved charge separation and transfer for solar energy conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accelerated anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases due to increasing energy demands has created a negative impact on our planet. Therefore, the replacement of fossil by renewable energy resources has become of paramount interest, both societally and scientifically. It is within this setting that organic photocatalysts have emerged as a new generation of earth‐abundant catalysts for the conversion of solar radiation into chemical energy. In 2014, the first example of a covalent organic framework (COF) photocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction was reported by our group, which has not only marked the beginning of COF photocatalysis for solar fuel production but also helped to accelerate research into "soft photocatalysis" based on porous polymers in general. In the last decade, significant progress has been made toward developing COFs as robust, molecularly precise platforms emulating artificial photosynthesis. This mini‐review commemorates the 10th anniversary of COF photocatalysis and gives a brief historical overview of the milestones in the field since its inception in 2014. We review milestones in the development of COFs for solar fuel production and related photocatalytic transformations, including hydrogen evolution, oxygen evolution, overall water splitting, CO2 reduction, N2 fixation, oxygen reduction, and alcohol oxidation. We discuss lessons learned for the design of structure‐property‐function relationships in COF photocatalysts, and future perspectives and challenges for the field of "soft photocatalysis" are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic hydrogen production by semiconductors is an optimal path to achieve solar energy conversion. In this work, Cu2O/ZnFe2O4 type II heterostructure is composed of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles loaded on the surface of Cu2O microspheres, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance is studied. Under the irradiation 5 h of 5 w LED lamp, the hydrogen production of Cu2O/ZnFe2O4 composites was 30.8 and 12.7 times higher than pure Cu2O and pure ZnFe2O4, respectively. In addition, after four cycles of experiments for 20 h, the hydrogen production is still maintained at 67.4% of the initial activity, indicating the relatively stable hydrogen evolution activity of the composite material. The electron transfer mechanism of the photocatalyst was confirmed through the utilization of density functional theory (DFT) and in-situ irradiation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The effective interfacial contact between Cu2O and ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles forms a type II heterojunction, which makes the effective separation of photogenerated charges, facilitates the reduction of protons to H2, and achieves efficient hydrogen production. This work presents a strategy for simple design and fabrication of highly efficient composite photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1% MoS 2 /P-Zn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S heterostructure with desired porous coral-like morphology is synthesized from in-situ photodeposition of MoS 2 on P-Zn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S, which displays a high photocatalytic hydrogen production rate of 30.65 mmol·g−1·h−1 under simulated solar light illumination with an apparent quantum efficiency of 22.22% at 370 nm monochromatic light. [Display omitted] Zn x Cd 1-x S photocatalysts have been widely investigated due to their diverse morphologies, suitable band gaps/band edge positions, and high electronic mobility. However, the sluggish charge separation and severe charge recombination impede the application of Zn x Cd 1-x S for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, doping of phosphorus (P) atoms into Zn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S has been implemented to elevate S vacancies concentration as well as tune its Fermi level to be located near the impurity level of S vacancies, prolonging the lifetime of photogenerated electrons. Moreover, P doping induces a hybridized state in the bandgap, leading to an imbalanced charge distribution and a localized built-in electric field for effective separation of photogenerated charge carriers. Further construction of intimate heterojunctions between P-Zn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S and MoS 2 accelerates surface redox reaction. Benefiting from the above merits, 1 % MoS 2 /P-Zn 0.3 Cd 0.7 S exhibits a high hydrogen production rate of 30.65 mmol·g−1·h−1 with AQE of 22.22 % under monochromatic light at 370 nm, exceeding most Zn x Cd 1-x S based photocatalysts reported so far. This work opens avenues to fabricate examplary photocatalysts for solar energy conversion and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered lanthanum titanate (La2Ti2O7) perovskite is a good photocatalytic material owing to its high stability, strong redox ability, and non-toxicity. However, its inherent wide bandgap limits its application in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Therefore, combining La2Ti2O7 with two-dimensional (2D) narrow-bandgap semiconductors to form 2D/2D layered structures is the preferred strategy to improve its photocatalytic performance. In this study, a novel 2D/2D ZnIn2S4/La2Ti2O7 Z-scheme heterojunction was prepared through a solvothermal method. The experimental results show that when the molar ratio of La2Ti2O7 to ZnIn2S4 is 1 : 4, the hydrogen evolution rate of the composite under ultraviolet-visible light reaches 6.97 mmol g−1 h−1, which is 3.5 times higher than that of the pure ZnIn2S4. The results of the morphological characterization studies of the samples and the photoelectrochemical measurements show that channels for the rapid transfer of carriers are generated by the unique 2D/2D structure of these samples, and the separation and migration efficiency of the photogenerated carriers significantly improved due to the formation of the Z-scheme heterojunction. This study provides useful insights into the modulation of wide-bandgap semiconductors and research into solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal is a significant solar energy conversion process on Earth, and photothermal‐responsive protocells are a potential model for prebiotic chemistry. Here, polydopamine microcapsules are fabricated via emulsion droplets‐templated interfacial polymerization and investigated their potential as synthetic protocell models for photothermal conversion and utilization. DNAzyme‐mediated dopamine peroxidation and polymerization occur at the water/oil interface of the emulsion droplets, facilitated by a biphasic microfluidic technique, leading to the formation of uniform polydopamine microcapsules, which retain structural integrity upon transfer into a continuous water phase. These microcapsules exhibit size‐dependent semi‐permeability and high photothermal capability due to their broad spectral absorbance. The photothermal‐mediated temperature rise within the microcapsules triggers DNA denaturation and rearrangement, and intermittent photothermal irradiation modulates reversible phase separation of DNA condensates, mimicking membrane‐less organelles. This work suggests that interfacial polymerization fabricated polydopamine capsules are a plausible photothermal protocell model that can demonstrate aspects of primitive abiotic cellularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The depletion of fossil fuels necessitates the efficient utilization of solar energy and the urgent resolution of its instability, intermittency, and storage challenges. Photo‐rechargeable batteries, which integrate solar cells and energy storage batteries to convert solar energy into electricity and store it as chemical energy, have gradually emerged as a novel research direction to meet the energy demands of various standalone applications such as building facades, mobile transportation devices, and outdoor settings. This review elucidates the device structure, working principles, and key parameters of photo‐rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, various photo‐rechargeable battery systems such as lithium‐ion battery, lithium‐sulfur battery, sodium‐ion battery, zinc‐ion battery, and aluminum‐ion battery are categorized and summarized, detailing their composition, operational mechanisms, and photoelectric performance. Finally, the future research directions of photo‐rechargeable batteries are delineated, advocating for the exploration of dual‐functional materials that integrate light conversion and energy storage. Specifically, emphasis is placed on studying the compatibility between optical and energy storage materials, investigating new battery operation mechanisms under illumination conditions, considering the imperative of achieving high stability and overall efficiency to enhance device performance, and elucidating the future application pathways of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanographenes, which feature at least one dimension smaller than 100 nm, are drawing interdisciplinary attention. Understanding the interplay between structure and properties is, however, still in its infancy. Molecular nanographenes are much better suited to fill this knowledge gap than graphene quantum dots or nanoribbons. Their bottom‐up synthesis allows atomic precision and, thereby, assists in handling structure and connecting it with properties. Herein, the effects of nitrogen‐doping and lateral π‐extension in molecular nanographenes and in their coordination complexes with ruthenium porphyrins are investigated. The presence of just nitrogen resulted in an increase of the fluorescence quantum yield, without, however, affecting the energy levels. Lateral π‐extension of the nanographenes, instead, resulted in a modulation of the excited states energy, which leads to a thermally‐activated dual fluorescence with quantum yields as high as 61%. In the corresponding coordination complexes, lateral π‐extension resulted in a ping‐pong energy transfer cascade, that is, from the nanographene to the metalloporphyrin and back to the nanographene. The results help to directly rationalize properties observed in both graphene quantum dots and nanoribbons. Moreover, they prove that molecular nanographenes are appealing components for solar energy conversion schemes, where the modulation of inter‐component energy transfer is of utmost importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group 10 transition metal dichalcogenide PtSe2 has drawn considerable attention toward the search for an efficient visible light photocatalyst due to its strong light–matter interaction nature. Here we report PtSe2/TiO2 heterostructure for solar energy conversion through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. The PtSe2/TiO2 heterostructure was prepared by sputtered Pt film followed by the chemical vapor deposition method. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the growth of hexagonal phase PtSe2 and anatase TiO2 corresponding to their distinguished peak characteristics. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that TiO2 nanotubes were decorated with PtSe2 nanoflakes forming PtSe2/TiO2 heterostructure. The chemical composition of the prepared samples was studied by using the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and indicated the sole presence of PtSe2 and TiO2 compounds. The PEC measurements were taken in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte solution under simulated sunlight (AM = 1.5 G). The maximum photocurrent density of ~ 234.7 µA/cm2 at 1.4 V versus RHE was recorded for PtSe2/TiO2 heterostructure, which is 1.7 times higher than that of Pt/TiO2. The improved PEC performance of PtSe2/TiO2 as a result of efficient solar absorption over a wider spectrum and effective charge separation produced by type-II band alignment between PtSe2 and TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass photoreforming is a promising way of producing sustainable hydrogen thanks to the abundant sources of biomass feedstocks. Solar energy provides the heat and driven force to initial biomass oxidation coupled with H2 evolution. Currently, biomass photoreforming is still far from plant‐scale applications due to the lower solar energy utilization efficiencies, the low H2 yield, and the lack of appropriate photoreactors. The production of H2 from photoreforming of native biomass and platform molecules was summarized and discussed with particular attention to the prospects of scaling up the catalysis technology for mass hydrogen production. The types of photoreforming, including photocatalysis and photothermal catalysis, were discussed, consequently considering the different requirements for photoreactors. We also reviewed the photoreactors that support biomass photoreforming. Numerical simulation methods were implemented for the solid‐liquid two‐phase flow and inter‐particle radiative transfer involved in the reaction process. Developing concentrated photothermal catalytic flowed reactors is beneficial to scale‐up catalytic hydrogen production from biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been regarded as promising photocatalytic materials. However, the sluggish diffusion of photoinduced charges in a single‐component COF remains the obstacles that have to be overcome. Here, we demonstrate a synthesis of a COF bearing dual cocatalysts Co3O4 and Re complex as photocatalyst for water oxidation. The dual cocatalysts are coordinated on the COF, and enable the spatial separation of photoinduced charges. The generated electrons were attracted to Re moiety, while the holes were localized on Co3O4 cocatalyst for water oxidation to produce O2 product. The synergy of dual cocatalysts of COF promote the charge separation and redox reaction. Moreover, hydroxyl radicals generated from the hydration of COF contribute to O−O bond formation, which is the key step of O2 formation. Accordingly, an excellent O2 production rate of 400 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation was obtained. This work may pave the way to the development of highly efficient COF photocatalysts for solar energy conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prodigious employment of fossil fuels to conquer the global energy demand is becoming a dreadful threat to the human society. This predicament is appealing for a potent photocatalyst that can generate alternate energy sources via solar to chemical energy conversion. With this interest, we have fabricated a ternary heterostructure of Ti3C2 nanosheet modified g‐C3N4/Bi2O3 (MCNRBO) Z‐scheme photocatalyst through self‐assembly process. The morphological analysis clearly evidenced the close interfacial interaction between g‐C3N4 nanorod, Bi2O3 and Ti3C2 nanosheets. The oxygen vacancy created on Bi2O3 surface, as suggested by XPS and EPR analysis, supported the Z‐scheme heterojunction formation between g‐C3N4 nanorod and Bi2O3 nanosheets. The collaborative effect of Z‐scheme and Schottky junction significantly reduced charge transfer resistance promoting separation efficiency of excitons as indicated from PL and EIS analysis. The potential of MCNRBO towards photocatalytic application was investigated by H2O2 and H2 evolution reaction. A superior photocatalytic H2O2 and H2 production rate for MCNRBO is observed, which are respectively around 5 and 18 folds higher as compared to pristine CNR nanorod. The present work encourages for the development of a noble, eco‐benign and immensely efficient dual heterojunction based photocatalyst, which can acts as saviour of human society from energy crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of diverse energy storage devices is imperative in the contemporary society. Taking advantage of solar power, a significant environmentally friendly and sustainable energy resource, holds great appeal for future storage of energy because it can solve the dilemma of fossil energy depletion and the resulting environmental problems once and for all. Recently, photo‐assisted energy storage devices, especially photo‐assisted rechargeable metal batteries, are rapidly developed owing to the ability to efficiently convert and store solar energy and the simple configuration, as well as the fact that conventional Li/Zn‐ion batteries are widely commercialized. Considering many puzzles arising from the rapid development of photo‐assisted rechargeable metal batteries, this review commences by introducing the fundamental concepts of batteries and photo‐electrochemistry, followed by an exploration of the current advancements in photo‐assisted rechargeable metal batteries. Specifically, it delves into the elucidation of device components, operating principles, types, and practical applications. Furthermore, this paper categorizes, specifies, and summarizes several detailed examples of photo‐assisted energy storage devices. Lastly, it addresses the challenges and bottlenecks faced by these energy storage systems while providing future perspectives to facilitate their transition from laboratory research to industrial implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: Localized surface plasmon resonance has been demonstrated to provide effective photophysical enhancement mechanisms in plasmonic photocatalysis. However, it remains highly challenging for distinct mechanisms to function in synergy for a collective gain in catalysis due to the lack of spatiotemporal control of their effect. Herein, the anisotropic plasmon resonance nature of Au nanorods was exploited to achieve distinct functionality towards synergistic photocatalysis. Photothermal and photochemical effects were enabled by the longitudinal and transverse plasmon resonance modes, respectively, and were enhanced by partial coating of silica nanoshells and epitaxial growth of a reactor component. Resonant excitation leads to a synergistic gain in photothermal‐mediated hot carrier‐driven hydrogen evolution catalysis. Our approach provides important design principles for plasmonic photocatalysts in achieving spatiotemporal modulation of distinct photophysical enhancement mechanisms. It also effectively broadens the sunlight response range and increases the efficacy of distinct plasmonic enhancement pathways towards solar energy harvesting and conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates hybrid nanofluid (HNF) behavior at the stagnation point near a stretching/shrinking sheet using the Tiwari and Das model. The governing equations were transformed into a boundary layer flow model and simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.0. This research examines flow characteristics, temperature profiles, and distributions by varying parameters: stretching/shrinking (λ , −2 to 2), slip flow (δ , 0 to 1 m), suction (γ , 0 to 1), and similarity variables (η , 0 to 5). The HNF comprised equal ratios of copper and alumina with total concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.1. The results showed that velocity profiles increased with distance from the stagnation point, escalated in shrinking cases, and decayed in stretching cases. Increased suction consistently reduced velocity profiles. Temperature distribution was slightly slower in shrinking compared to stretching cases, with expansion along the sheet directly proportional to η estimates but controllable through suction adjustments. The findings were applied to enhance photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) system performance. Stretching sheets proved crucial for improving electricity production efficiency. Non-slip wall conditions and increased copper volume fractions in the presence of suction effects led to notable improvements in electrical efficiency. The maximum average efficiency was achieved when γ = 0.4, λ = 2, δ = 0.7, and ϕ 2 = 0.01, which was of about 10%. The present numerical work also aligned well with the experimental results when evaluating the thermal efficiency of conventional fluids. These insights contribute to optimizing PV/T system parameters and advancing solar energy conversion technology, with potential implications for broader applications in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harnessing solar energy for the conversion of CO2 into value‐added chemicals and fuels represents a promising strategy for sustainable development. Photo‐to‐thermal (PTT) conversion, an often‐underestimated factor, offers a remarkable approach to enhance the photocatalytic transformation of CO2, by reducing the activation energy of catalytic reactions and accelerating reaction kinetics. In order to achieve a higher energy return on investment (EROI), in this study, a sulfur‐vulcanized, multi‐layer Ti3C2 MXene is unveiled, capable of efficient sunlight‐driven CO2 photoreduction, by capitalizing on PTT conversion across the full visible‐to‐near‐infrared (NIR) spectrum. The vulcanization strategy is pivotal here, as it not only introduces an abundance of reactive sites but also extends the NIR response (peaking at 1095 nm) of MXene. The resulting rapid PTT and synergistic photo‐thermal‐catalytic CO2 reduction constitute a significant advance in this area, where CH4 (12.03 mmol g−1 h−1) and C2H4 (3.55 mmol g−1 h−1) yields are achieved with a C2+ selectivity of 29.76% under concentrated natural sunlight. This work sets a new benchmark for EROI with an average solar‐to‐carbon‐fuel (STF) conversion efficiency greater than 0.045%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi 2 WO 6 has attracted extensive attention in photocatalysts in recent years as a typical Aurivillius oxide. However, it suffers from severe electron-hole recombination due to the large charge transfer distance from bulk to surface. Unfortunately, strong chemical bonds between the neighboring layers in Aurivillius oxides lead to difficulties in the construction of 2D materials. Here, a facile NaBH 4 -assisted hydrothermal method is developed to construct 2D Bi 2 WO 6 nanosheets with adjustable thickness from 4.03 to 1.51 nm and O vacancies density (named as BWO-x, x = 15, 30, 45, 60). By balancing the thickness and the O vacancy density in the nanosheets, the charge separation efficiency can be tuned and consequently, the photocatalytic activity can be optimized, leading to over 11 times enhancement in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Furthermore, the best performed nanosheets demonstrate universality in dye polluted water treatment. Nearly 100% degradation can be reached after only 5, 50, and 30 min with degradation rate constant of 29.73, 3.21, and 6.62 min−1g−1 for Rhodamine B, methyl orange, and methylene blue, respectively. This work provides a comprehensive approach to produce ultrathin 2D nanosheets of Aurivillius photocatalysts for enhanced charge separation and photocatalytic activity. • Ultrathin 2D Bi 2 WO 6 nanosheets have been constructed. • Improved charge separation has been achieved in the ultrathin 2D BWO nanosheets. • The 2D BWO nanosheets exhibit enhanced photocatalytic H 2 evolution and dye degradation. • This work provides a comprehensive approach to produce ultrathin 2D nanosheets of Aurivillius Oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photothermal conversion in plasmonic nanohelices is studied, unveiling how helical nanostructures made from metals with a notable interband activity ‐such as cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni)‐ exhibit a remarkable temperature rise ΔT up to ≈1000 K under illumination. Such outstanding ΔT values exclusively occur at wavelengths close to their localized plasmon resonances (ΔT is significantly lower off resonance), and therefore the photothermal conversion of these nanoparticles is spectrally selective. The exceptional and spectrally selective temperature rise is demonstrated at near infrared (NIR) wavelengths, which prompts the use of Co and Ni helical nanoparticles in a wide range of photothermal applications including solar energy conversion, seawater desalination, catalysis, or nanomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational design and optimization of the photocatalyst architecture, aimed at effectively enhancing light absorption and accelerating charge separation and transfer, can lead to the accomplishment of sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen production. In this study, a ternary system of Au/ZnWO4/CdS is prepared with oxygen vacancy modification through a combination of hydrothermal, chemical precipitation, and photochemical deposition methods. The addition of CdS and Au nanoparticles significantly enhances the light absorption range of ZnWO4 (ZWO) and creates more active sites for hydrogen production. The type‐II engineered heterojunction, in combination with Au as a cocatalyst, is a viable and efficient method for enhancing the separation and transport of electron–hole pairs, thereby facilitating the effective precipitation of hydrogen through photocatalysis. 5A10ZC exhibits a hydrogen production rate of 5483.62 µmol g−1 h−1, which is 167 times higher than that of unmodified ZWO and 29 times higher than that of pure CdS. In addition, it exhibits excellent cycle stability in the hydrogen production cycle stability test. The photoelectrochemical test results show that the construction of the system improves the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers. This study provides a new inspiration for the construction of high‐performance photocatalytic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST) based on photoisomerization represents a novel approach for the capture, conversion and storage of solar energy. Azo photoswitches can store energy by isomerization from their thermodynamically stable E isomers to higher energy metastable Z isomers. The energy density of azo photoswitches is crucial as it directly determines the storage capacity, but it is relatively low (160 J g−1). Therefore, enhancing the energy density through molecular structural design represents a central research focus in the field of MOST. A straightforward approach to enhance the energy density is to design multi‐azo photoswitches. This allows multiple azobenzene units to share a common framework while keeping the molecular weight as small as possible. In particular, when two azobenzene units are connected via a phenyl ring in a meta orientation, it facilitates efficient isomerization, thereby maximizing the energy density of the azo photoswitches (392 J g−1). This paper provides a brief overview of the development of multi‐azo photoswitches and highlights their outstanding performance as a MOST system. It also offers prospects for their future advancements in the field. We propose that, to further improve the energy density of multi‐azo photoswitches, one approach is to design wide spectrum of light photoisomerization of multi‐azo photoswitches. Additionally, introducing photo‐induced phase changes to multi‐azo photoswitches enables the simultaneous storage of both photon energy and ambient heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot electrons and holes generated from the decay of localised surface plasmons in metallic nanoparticles can be harnessed for applications in solar energy conversion and sensing. In this paper, we study the generation of hot carriers in large spherical gold-silver alloy nanoparticles using a recently developed atomistic modelling approach that combines a solution of Maxwell's equations with large-scale tight-binding simulations. We find that hot-carrier properties depend sensitively on the alloy composition. Specifically, nanoparticles with a large gold fraction produce hot carriers under visible light illumination while nanoparticles with a large silver fraction require higher photon energies to produce hot carriers. Moreover, most hot carriers in nanoparticles with a large gold fraction originate from interband transitions which give rise to energetic holes and 'cold' electrons near the Fermi level. Increasing the silver fraction enhances the generation rate of hot carriers from intraband transitions which produce energetic electrons and 'cold' holes. These findings demonstrate that alloy composition is a powerful tuning parameter for the design of nanoparticles for applications in solar energy conversion and sensing that require precise control of hot-carrier properties. To accelerate the design of plasmonic alloy nanoparticles for application in solar energy conversion devices, a detailed understanding of their electronic structure is required. Here, the authors use an atomistic modelling approach that combines a solution of Maxwell's equations with large-scale tight-binding simulations to study the generation of hot carriers in large spherical gold-silver alloy nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tandem solar cells present an efficient way to boost solar energy conversion, potentially advancing performance and widespread photovoltaic technology adoption. This study employed a novel approach to grow Sb2S3 thin films onto a c-Si (100) substrate using a sol-gel dip-coating technique. The as-deposited samples exhibited an amorphous nature, indicating the necessity for a thermal annealing step. The impact of annealing temperature on the phase purity, structure, morphological, optical, and photovoltaic properties of the synthesized hetero-structure Sb2S3/c-Si (100) was examined using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and UV-visible spectroscopy. SIMS analysis revealed uniformity and consistent composition in the deposited films with a thickness of approximately 700 nm on the silicon substrate. XRD measurements revealed a polycrystalline structure in all films after annealing in an argon atmosphere, except for the as-deposited one. The Sb2S3 film annealed at 320 °C exhibited the highest crystallite size of about 53 nm. The optical parameters such as refractive index n(λ) and extinction coefficient k(λ) were estimated using the Fresnel matrix method. The Sb2S3/c-Si heterojunction exhibited obvious rectification characteristics according to the current vs. voltage (I-V) curve under dark conditions. The illuminated current density-voltage characteristic of the best hetero-junction Ag/ Sb2S3/c-Si (100)/Al annealed at 320 °C exhibits a short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 13.16 mA cm− 2, an open circuit voltage (Voc) of 730 mV, and fill factor (FF) of 0.62 yielding power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 6.15%.under AM 1.5 sun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc nitride (Zn3N2) is a promising semiconductor for a range of optoelectronic and energy conversion applications, offering a direct bandgap of 1.0 eV, large carrier mobilities, and abundant constituent elements. However, the material is prone to bulk oxidation in ambient environments, which has thus far impeded its practical deployment. While previous approaches have focused on stabilizing the material via integration of ZnO surface layers, these strategies introduce additional challenges regarding elevated processing temperatures and limited control of interface properties. In this study, it is shown that amorphous GaN thin films can serve as highly stable protection layers on Zn3N2 surfaces and can be deposited at the same growth temperature and in the same deposition system as the underlying semiconductor. The GaN‐capped Zn3N2 structures exhibit long‐term stability, surviving over 3 years of exposure to ambient conditions with no discernible alterations in composition, structure, or electrical properties. Notably, the amorphous GaN coatings can even impede Zn3N2 oxidation under prolonged aqueous exposure. Thus, this study offers a solution to stabilize Zn3N2 in ambient conditions, providing a viable pathway to its utilization in robust and high‐performance electronic devices, such as thin film transistors and solar energy conversion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]