Issue 24, 2020

Semiconductor nanocrystals for small molecule activation via artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

Facile activation and conversion of small molecules (e.g., H2O, CO2, N2, CH4, and C6H6) into solar fuels or value-added chemicals under mild conditions is an attractive pathway in dealing with the worldwide appeal of energy consumption and the growing demand of industrial feedstocks. Compared with conventional thermo- or electro-catalytic approaches, the protocol of photocatalysis shines light on green and low-cost storage of sunlight in chemical bonds. For instance, artificial photosynthesis is an effective way to split H2O into molecular O2 and H2, thereby storing solar energy in the form of hydrogen fuel. Because of rational tunability in band gaps, charge-carrier dynamics, exposed active sites and catalytic redox activities by tailoring size, composition, morphology, surface, and/or interface property, semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) emerge as very promising candidates for photo-induced small molecule activation, including H2O splitting, CO2 reduction, N2 fixation, CH4 conversion and chemical bond formation (e.g., S–S, C–C, C–N, C–P, C–O). In this review, we summarize the recent advances in small molecule activation via artificial photosynthesis using semiconductor NCs, especially those consisting of II–VI and III–V elements. Moreover, we highlight the intrinsic advantages of semiconductor NCs in this field and look into the fabrication of prototype devices for large-scale and sustainable small molecule activation to store solar energy in chemical bonds.

Graphical abstract: Semiconductor nanocrystals for small molecule activation via artificial photosynthesis

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
21 Jul 2020
First published
02 Nov 2020

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020,49, 9028-9056

Semiconductor nanocrystals for small molecule activation via artificial photosynthesis

X. Li, Z. Xin, S. Xia, X. Gao, C. Tung and L. Wu, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020, 49, 9028 DOI: 10.1039/D0CS00930J

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements