title: Shifting the Sun: Solar Spectral Conversion and Extrinsic Sensitization in Natural and Artificial Photosynthesis.
abstract: Solar energy harvesting is largely limited by the spectral sensitivity of the employed energy conversion system, where usually large parts of the solar spectrum do not contribute to the harvesting scheme, and where, of the contributing fraction, the full potential of each photon is not efficiently used in the generation of electrical or chemical energy. Extrinsic sensitization through photoluminescent spectral conversion has been proposed as a route to at least partially overcome this problem. Here, we discuss this approach in the emerging context of photochemical energy harvesting and storage through natural or artificial photosynthesis. Clearly contrary to application in photovoltaic energy conversion, implementation of solar spectral conversion for extrinsic sensitization of a photosynthetic machinery is very straightforward, and-when compared to intrinsic sensitization-less-strict limitations with regard to quantum coherence are seen. We now argue the ways in which extrinsic sensitization through photoluminescent spectral converters will-and will not-play its role in the area of ultra-efficient photosynthesis, and also illustrate how such extrinsic sensitization requires dedicated selection of specific conversion schemes and design strategies on system scale.
authors: Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research University of Jena Jena 07743 Germany; Centre for Energy and Environmental Chemistry (CEEC)University of Jena Jena 07743 Germany.
authors: Lothar
authors: L
authors: Wondraczek
authors: Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry University of Turku 20014 Turku Finland.
authors: Esa
authors: E
authors: Tyystjärvi
authors: Department of Physics University La Laguna 38206 La Laguna Tenerife Spain.
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Méndez-Ramos
authors: Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research University of Jena Jena 07743 Germany; Centre for Energy and Environmental Chemistry (CEEC)University of Jena Jena 07743 Germany.
authors: Frank A
authors: FA
authors: Müller
authors: State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices Institute of Optical Communication Materials South China University of Technology Guangzhou 510640 P.R. China.
authors: Qinyuan
authors: Q
authors: Zhang
keywords: artificial photosynthesis; photosynthesis; solar spectral conversion; solar‐to‐fuel; water splitting