You do not have JavaScript enabled. Please enable JavaScript to access the full features of the site or access our non-JavaScript page.

Issue 21, 2024

Understanding charge carrier dynamics in organic photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution

Abstract

Hydrogen generation using particulate photocatalysts is a promising approach to achieving sustainable energy solutions to energy shortages and environmental challenges. Among them, organic semiconductor-based photocatalysts offer significant advantages, including tunable structural and optoelectronic properties, easy of processibility, and cost-effectiveness over the inorganic photocatalysts. However, their photocatalytic efficiency is limited by inherent properties, such as the formation of Frenkel excitons, the presence of numerous energetic defects, and low charge separation efficiency. To enhance performance and expand the potential of organic photocatalysts, it is crucial to understand the relationship between molecular structure and charge carrier dynamics in photocatalytic processes. In this reason, Recent research about organic photocatalysis for hydrogen evolution has focused on uncovering limiting factors and comprehending the fundamental charge carrier behaviors that determine the performance of organic photocatalysts by utilizing the use of advanced time-resolved analysis tools. This review desicribes charge behaviors, including photocharge generation and transport within the bulk of the organic photocatalyst, as well as charge transfer and charge-induced redox reactions at the interface within photocatalytic system. Their characteristics, according to the molecular structures, are summarized based on time-resolved analysis methodologies, including transient spectroscopy with the aim to provide an understanding of the correlation between charge carrier dynamics, molecular structure, and photocatalytic performance.

Graphical abstract: Understanding charge carrier dynamics in organic photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
24 Apr 2024
Accepted
19 Jul 2024
First published
20 Jul 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Energy Environ. Sci., 2024,17, 7999-8018

Understanding charge carrier dynamics in organic photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution

J. Choi, W. Jung, S. Gonzalez-Carrero, J. R. Durrant, H. Cha and T. Park, Energy Environ. Sci., 2024, 17, 7999 DOI: 10.1039/D4EE01808G

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements