9 - Chalcogenides-based nanomaterials for artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

This chapter mainly deals about the chalcogenides-based nanomaterials in the applications of artificial photosynthesis. Photocatalysts are the semiconductor materials where oxidation from holes and reduction from electrons occur when a light source falls on the surface. They are used to degrade the pollutants in the presence of sunlight. Their applications not only confine in waste water treatment but also extend over as purifiers of air. An interesting application of these materials includes energy generation, i.e. generation of hydrogen fuel by electrolysis of water in the presence of sunlight. This happens in photo electrochemical cells and the process is called as artificial photosynthesis. Energy can be harvested from sunlight which is mimicking the activity (photosynthesis) performed by plants. Clean and sustainable energy generation is the real benefit that we can harvest from this technology /process. Hydrogen can be used as fuel for emerging energy devices such as fuel cells. The hydrogen-based energy devices are applied in zero-emissions vehicles. Chalcogenide materials (2D material and 0D-quantum dots)-like molybdenum disulfide and cadmium sulfide are fascinating as industrial catalysts in the area of water splitting.