title: Turning Perspective in Photoelectrocatalytic Cells for Solar Fuels.
abstract: The development of new devices for the use and storage of solar energy is a key step to enable a new sustainable energy scenario. The route for direct solar-to-chemical energy transformation, especially to produce liquid fuels, represents a necessary element to realize transition from the actual energy infrastructure. Photoelectrocatalytic (PECa) devices for the production of solar fuels are a key element to enable this sustainable scenario. The development of PECa devices and related materials is of increasing scientific and applied interest. This concept paper introduces the need to turn the viewpoint of research in terms of PECa cell design and related materials with respect to mainstream activities in the field of artificial photosynthesis and leaves. As an example of a new possible direction, the concept of electrolyte-less cell design for PECa cells to produce solar fuels by reduction of CO2 is presented. The fundamental and applied development of new materials and electrodes for these cells should proceed fully integrated with PECa cell design and systematic analysis. A new possible approach to develop semiconductors with improved performances by using visible light is also shortly presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Engineering (DIECII), Section Industrial Chemistry, University of Messina, ERIC aisbl and CASPE/INSTM, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontras 31, 98166, Messina, Italy. perathon@unime.it.
authors.forename: Siglinda
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8814-1972
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perathoner
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry and Engineering (DIECII), Section Industrial Chemistry, University of Messina, ERIC aisbl and CASPE/INSTM, V.le F. Stagno D'Alcontras 31, 98166, Messina, Italy. centi@unime.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5626-9840
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Centi
authors.affiliation: Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195, Berlin, Germany.|Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science, Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Science, 72 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, 110006, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Dangsheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D012993:Solar Energy; D013696:Temperature
keywords: charge transfer; energy conversion; energy storage; photocatalysis; solar fuels