Abstract
Solar energy harvesting is largely limited by the spectral sensitivity of the employed energy conversion system, where usually large parts of the solar spectrum do not contribute to the harvesting scheme, and where, of the contributing fraction, the full potential of each photon is not efficiently used in the generation of electrical or chemical energy. Extrinsic sensitization through photoluminescent spectral conversion has been proposed as a route to at least partially overcome this problem. Here, we discuss this approach in the emerging context of photochemical energy harvesting and storage through natural or artificial photosynthesis. Clearly contrary to application in photovoltaic energy conversion, implementation of solar spectral conversion for extrinsic sensitization of a photosynthetic machinery is very straightforward, and—when compared to intrinsic sensitization—less‐strict limitations with regard to quantum coherence are seen. We now argue the ways in which extrinsic sensitization through photoluminescent spectral converters will—and will not—play its role in the area of ultra‐efficient photosynthesis, and also illustrate how such extrinsic sensitization requires dedicated selection of specific conversion schemes and design strategies on system scale.
Highlights
Solar energy harvesting is largely limited by the spectral sensitivity of the employed energy conversion system, where usually large parts of the solar spectrum do not contribute to the harvesting scheme, and where, of theIn most techniques of solar energy harvesting, only a fraction of the incoming photon energy can be put to use in the contributing fraction, the full potential of each photon is not efficiently used targeted energy conversion process
Extrinsic sensitization reasons for this are manifold and arise at through photoluminescent spectral conversion has been proposed as a route to at least partially overcome this problem
Regardless of the intrinsic quantum efficiency, the overall absorption cross-section is often limited by surface reflectivity on module scale, or, in some cases, the optical photovoltaic energy conversion, implementation of solar spectral conversion transparency of the photon converter, for extrinsic sensitization of a photosynthetic machinery is very straightforsubject to the considered spectral regime ward, and—when compared to intrinsic sensitization—less-strict limitations with regard to quantum coherence are seen
Summary
Solar energy harvesting is largely limited by the spectral sensitivity of the employed energy conversion system, where usually large parts of the solar spectrum do not contribute to the harvesting scheme, and where, of the. Extrinsic sensitization reasons for this are manifold and arise at through photoluminescent spectral conversion has been proposed as a route to at least partially overcome this problem We discuss this approach in the emerging context of photochemical energy harvesting and storage through natural or artificial photosynthesis. In PV, two approaches are followed to address these issues, i.e., the design of multi-junction devices which combine two or more semiconductors or photoelectric chromophores with adjusted spectral sensitivity to cover the largest part of the incoming spectrum,[2] and luminescent. Spectral adjustment through luminescent photoconverters has been demonstrated as an emerging approach for enhancing the photosynthetic activity of microalgae[7] as well as that of higher plants.[8,9] Here, we present a concise progress report and a prospective outlook on this topic
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