Keynote: Effective Charge Carrier Utilization in Photocatalytic Conversions

It is a promising way to resolve worldwide energy crisis and environmental pollution by converting solar energy into storable chemical energy through solar water splitting or CO₂ reduction. However, the conversion efficiency is still relatively low since complicated processes involved in photocatalysis, including charge generation, transportation and surface reaction. The generation of charge carriers could be enhanced by the introduction of plasmonic materials and self-dopants to extend the light absorption ranges of photocatalysts. Morphology control, conductivity improvement of photocatalysts and the construction of heterojunction could enhance the charge separation and transportation. In addition, surface reaction, which is usually the rate-limiting step during solar energy conversion, could be enhanced by exposing highly active facets and applying cocatalysts. Surface protective layers could suppress side reactions and improve the stability of photocatalysts.