Solar Energy Conversion and Storage: Photochemical Modes showcases the latest advances in solar cell technology while offering valuable insight into the future of solar energy conversion and storage. Focusing on photochemical methods of converting and/or storing light energy in the form of electrical or chemical energy, the book:Describes various t

The book collects the lectures and the status reports delivered during the "Eighth International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy", IPS-8, held in Palermo (Italy) from 15th to 20th of July 1990. As usual, the main theme of the Conference was that of making the point about the trends and the developments of the studies related to the photochemical exploitation of solar energy and also to report the main lines of potential applications. Therefore the contributions reflect this point; they vary from those reporting basic and fundamental theories to those reporting cases of possible applications. For the sake of following the logical line which links each other the various contributions, we report the six areas in which the main theme of the conference was devided: (a) Electron and energy transfer in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems; (b) Photosynthesis: organized assemblies and biomimetic systems; (c) Photoelectrochemistry; (d) Photocatalysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous regime; (e) Environment: photochemical and photocatalytic processes; (f) Solar energy materials and photochemical engineering. It remains now to thank persons and institutions which made possible the organization of the Conference. The persons to thank are all the members of the International and National Organizing Committees and in particular Prof. A.Sclafani and Dr. L.Palmisano whose efforts were essential for the success of the Conference.

The book collects the lectures and the status reports delivered during the "Eighth International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy", IPS-8, held in Palermo (Italy) from 15th to 20th of July 1990. As usual, the main theme of the Conference was that of making the point about the trends and the developments of the studies related to the photochemical exploitation of solar energy and also to report the main lines of potential applications. Therefore the contributions reflect this point; they vary from those reporting basic and fundamental theories to those reporting cases of possible applications. For the sake of following the logical line which links each other the various contributions, we report the six areas in which the main theme of the conference was devided: (a) Electron and energy transfer in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems; (b) Photosynthesis: organized assemblies and biomimetic systems; (c) Photoelectrochemistry; (d) Photocatalysis: homogeneous and heterogeneous regime; (e) Environment: photochemical and photocatalytic processes; (f) Solar energy materials and photochemical engineering. It remains now to thank persons and institutions which made possible the organization of the Conference. The persons to thank are all the members of the International and National Organizing Committees and in particular Prof. A.Sclafani and Dr. L.Palmisano whose efforts were essential for the success of the Conference.

Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy contains the proceedings of the Third International Conference on Photochemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy held in Boulder, Colorado, on August 3-8, 1980. The papers review the state of the art in the areas of photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry in the context of solar energy conversion and storage. Topics covered include photosynthetic quantum conversion; biomimetic systems for solar energy conversion; and photochemical electron transfer reactions in homogeneous solutions. This volume is comprised of 11 chapters and begins by describing an artificial photosynthetic system that can capture solar quanta and convert them into a stable chemical form. The discussion then turns to biomimetic approaches to solar energy conversion; fluorescent concentrators for photovoltaic cells; requirements for homogeneous photoredox chemistry in inorganic systems; and the use of inorganic components coupled with catalysts in heterogeneous assemblies for photochemical water splitting. The following chapters focus on photogalvanic cells, electrochemical photovoltaic cells, and photoelectrosynthetic reactions at the semiconductor-electrolyte interface. The final chapter examines the thermodynamic limits on photoconversion and storage of solar energy. This monograph will be of interest to chemists and other scientists concerned with the photochemical aspects of solar energy conversion and storage.

This book explains the conversion of solar energy to chemical energy and its storage. It covers the basic background; interface modeling at the reacting surface; energy conversion with chemical, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical approaches and energy conversion using applied photosynthesis. The important concepts for converting solar to chemical energy are based on an understanding of the reactions’ equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions. Since the energy conversion is essentially the transfer of free energy, the process are explained in the context of thermodynamics.

Cleavage of water to its constituents (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen) for production of hydrogen energy at an industrial scale is one of the "holy grails" of materials science. That can be done by utilizing the renewable energy resource i.e. sunlight and photocatalytic material. The sunlight and water are abundant and free of cost available at this planet. But the development of a stable, efficient and cost-effective photocatalytic material to split water is still a great challenge. To develop the effective materials for photocatalytic water splitting, various type of materials with different sizes and structures from nano to giant have been explored that includes metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, and so on. Fundamental concepts and state of art materials for the water splitting are also discussed to understand the phenomenon/mechanism behind the photoelectrochemical water splitting. This book gives a comprehensive overview and description of the manufacturing of photocatalytic materials and devices for water splitting by controlling the chemical composition, particle size, morphology, orientation and aspect ratios of the materials. The real technological breakthroughs in the development of the photoactive materials with considerable efficiency, are well conversed to bring out the practical aspects of the technique and its commercialization.

Energy Resources through Photochemistry and Catalysis reviews the state of the art in the development of energy conversion devices based on catalytic and photochemical reactions. The focus is on catalysis of redox reactions and their application to the photocleavage of water, reduction of carbon dioxide, and fixation of nitrogen. Some fundamental aspects of catalysis as it relates to processes of light energy harvesting and charge separation in photochemical or photoelectrochemical conversion systems are also discussed. This monograph is comprised of 16 chapters covering light-induced redox reactions and reaction dynamics in organized assemblies such as micelles, colloidal metals, or semiconductors, together with strategies for molecular engineering of artificial photosynthetic devices. The principles of electrochemical conversion of light energy via semiconductor electrodes or semiconducting particles are also considered. Furthermore, thermodynamic characteristics for some reactions that can be utilized for storage of solar energy in the form of chemical energy are examined. The remaining chapters look at the role of porphyrins in natural and artificial photosynthesis; the use of semiconductor powders and particulate systems for photocatalysis and photosynthesis; and hydrogen-generating solar cells based on platinum-group metal activated photocathodes. This text will be a useful resource for scientists and policymakers concerned with finding alternative sources of energy.

Rapid advances in materials technology are creating many novel forms of coatings for energy efficient applications in solar energy. Insulating heat mirrors, selective absorbers, transparent insulation and fluorescent concentrators are already available commercially. Radiative cooling, electrochromic windows and polymeric light pipes hold promise for future development, while chemical and photochemical processes are being considered for energy storage. This book investigates new material advances as well as applications, costs, reliability and industrial production of existing materials. Each contribution represents a landmark in the field of materials science.

Written by experts, this book presents the latest knowledge and chemical prospects in developing hydrogen as a solar fuel.