Decoupled Artificial Photosynthesis

Decoupled artificial photosynthesis (DAP) strides one step closer to natural photosynthesis (NP) thanks to a photoelectrochemical energy transduction process. In this review, we elaborate how DAP evolves from NP and traditional artificial photosynthesis (AP), summarize recent advances of AP and DAP, and discuss current challenges and future developments of DAP.

Abstract

Natural photosynthesis (NP) generates oxygen and carbohydrates from water and CO₂ utilizing solar energy to nourish lives and balance CO₂ levels. Following nature, artificial photosynthesis (AP), typically, overall water or CO₂ splitting, produces fuels and chemicals from renewable energy. However, hydrogen evolution or CO₂ reduction is inherently coupled with kinetically sluggish water oxidation, lowering efficiencies and raising safety concerns. Decoupled systems have thus emerged. In this review, we elaborate how decoupled artificial photosynthesis (DAP) evolves from NP and AP and unveil their distinct photoelectrochemical mechanisms in energy capture, transduction and conversion. Advances of AP and DAP are summarized in terms of photochemical (PC), photoelectrochemical (PEC), and photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) catalysis based on material and device design. The energy transduction process of DAP is emphasized. Challenges and perspectives on future researches are also presented.

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