Artificial photosynthesis: From molecular catalysts for light-driven water splitting to photoelectrochemical cells

Abstract

Photosynthesis has been for many years a fascinating source of inspiration for the development of model systems able to achieve efficient light-to-chemical energetic transduction. This field of research, called "artificial photosynthesis," is currently the subject of intense interest, driven by the aim of converting solar energy into the carbon-free fuel hydrogen through the light-driven water splitting. In this review, we highlight the recent achievements on light-driven water oxidation and hydrogen production by molecular catalysts and we shed light on the perspectives in terms of implementation into water splitting technological devices. This review surveys the recent achievements in the field of artificial photosynthesis and light-driven water splitting. Homogeneous photocatalytic H2- and O2-evolving systems (bioconstructs as well as synthetic molecules) are presented, with a specific focus on those containing noble-metal-free catalytic centres. Openings regarding the development of a fully molecular-based technological device for water splitting are discussed. © 2011 The Authors.