Bio-inspired nanoparticles for artificial photosynthesis

Abstract

Nature has evolved efficient systems and mimicking nature in all its myriad forms will open a pandora box of possibilities. Using nanoparticles that can be engineered by bottoms up or top-down approach gives unique properties to the otherwise familiar materials. This can be exploited to mimic nature’s energy efficient process of photosynthesis. Artificial photosynthetic arrangements already outdo the natural catalytic systems with regard to simplicity, spectral range of their light adsorption and control of charge transport. Contrarily, the functional complexity of biological systems makes them energy-consuming. Quantum dots (QDs) are nanomaterials that behave similar to atoms or molecules, and their size, form, and number of electrons can be systematically modulated to adapt the optical and electrical characteristics to a variety of target areas, including biomedical applications, neo-display technologies, as well as photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Novel strategies for accomplishing artificial photosynthesis, by generating high-energy hydrocarbons by influencing electron-rich gold nanoparticles as catalyst are being explored. Also, stable cobalt oxides (CoO) can be explored to efficiently trigger an artificial photosynthesis system. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is stable and can behave as a competent catalyst in a dye-sensitized TiO2 Graetzel cell. Understanding, analysing and manipulating the artificial synthetic–biotic interface is still the key challenge.