Solar Energy Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

3DOM Fe/Co-containing perovskites as bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalysts for a photo-rechargeable zinc battery

Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous perovskites (La0.8Ba0.2Fe1–xCoxO3–δ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4)), which are integrated with a silicon photovoltaic cell are prepared. Their overall solar energy conversion and storage efficiency in zinc-ion-based batteries was assessed. The electrocatalytic activities were measured in OER/ORR, while the galvanostatic charge/discharge processes were applied to study battery performance under 1 sun irradiation. The electronic properties of the electrocatalysts were determined by X-ray absorption and UV photoelectron spectroscopies. The importance of controlling the oxidation state of cobalt ions to increase the specific capacity and energy density of the batteries was shown. The ORR activity depends on oxygen vacancies, inferred from the XANES and EXAFS spectra analysis. Their presence is associated with the Co2+/Co3+ ratio which controls the beneficial eg orbitals occupancy via the high spin d7 electron configuration. Herein, we report an overall energy conversion efficiency of 12.6 % for the PV-integrated La0.8Ba0.2Fe0.8Co0.2O3–δ photo-rechargeable battery cell.

II-Scheme Heterojunction Frameworks Based on Covalent Organic Frameworks and HKUST-1 for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are one type of promising polymer semiconductors in solar-driven hydrogen production, but majority of COFs-based photocatalytic systems show low photocatalytic efficiency owing to lack of metal active sites. Herein, we reported II-Scheme heterojunction frameworks based on COF (TpPa-1) and metal-organic framework (HKUST-1) for highly efficient hydrogen production. The coordination bonding directed self-assembly of HKUST-1 on the surface of TpPa-1 endows the heterojunction frameworks (HKUST-1/TpPa-1) with strong interface interaction, optimized electronic structures and abundant redox active sites, thus remarkably boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. The hydrogen evolution rate for optimal HKUST-1/TpPa-1 is as high as 10.50 mmol g-1 h-1, which is significantly enhanced when compared with that of their physical mixture (4.13 mmol g-1 h-1), TpPa-1 (0.013 mmol g-1 h-1) and Pt-based counterpart (6.70 mmol g-1 h-1). This work offers a facile approach to the construction of noble-metal-free II-Scheme heterojunctions based on framework materials for efficient solar energy conversion.

Fluorinated chlorin chromophores for red-light-driven CO2 reduction

The utilization of low-energy photons in light-driven reactions is an effective strategy for improving the efficiency of solar energy conversion. In nature, photosynthetic organisms use chlorophylls to harvest the red portion of sunlight, which ultimately drives the reduction of CO2. However, a molecular system that mimics such function is extremely rare in non-noble-metal catalysis. Here we report a series of synthetic fluorinated chlorins as biomimetic chromophores for CO2 reduction, which catalytically produces CO under both 630 nm and 730 nm light irradiation, with turnover numbers of 1790 and 510, respectively. Under appropriate conditions, the system lasts over 240 h and stays active under 1% concentration of CO2. Mechanistic studies reveal that chlorin and chlorinphlorin are two key intermediates in red-light-driven CO2 reduction, while corresponding porphyrin and bacteriochlorin are much less active forms of chromophores.

Dithiocarbamate‐Based Solution Processing for Cation Disorder Engineering in AgBiS2 Solar Absorber Thin Films

AbstractCation disorders refer to the phenomenon where cations are randomly distributed in multi‐cation systems. These disorders have emerged as an effective strategy for tailoring material properties across diverse applications. Notably, engineering cation disorder in AgBiS2 has garnered attention, owing to its remarkable enhancement of light absorption coefficients, which are crucial for efficient solar energy conversion in ultrathin light absorber layers. In this study, a novel dithiocarbamate (DTC)‐based solution processing method designed to control cation disorder is presented in AgBiS2 thin films. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on heat treatment, the strategy is based on molecular coordination dynamics between DTC and metal cations. By adjusting the ratio of DTC to the metal cations, the formation of cation‐disordered AgBiS2 thin films is demonstrated. Notably, the order‐to‐disorder transition is solely dependent on the DTC‐metal coordination and independent of the annealing temperature. These disordered films exhibit a high light absorption coefficient (>5 × 105 cm−1), mirroring the characteristics of thermally‐treated cation‐disordered AgBiS2 nanocrystals reported previously. The disordered AgBiS2 thin‐film photodetector exhibited a higher photocurrent density and responsivity compared to its ordered counterpart. The approach establishes a novel platform for cation disorder engineering, paving the way for advancements in cation‐disordered materials with diverse applications.

Directional Charge Pumping from Photoactive P-doped CdS to Catalytic Active Ni2P via Funneled Bandgap and Bridged Interface for Greatly Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution.

Loading cocatalysts onto semiconductors is one of the most popular strategies to inhibit charge recombination, but the efficiency is generally hindered by the localized built-in electric field and the weakly connected interface. Here, this work designs and synthesizes a 1D P-doped CdS nanowire/Ni2P heterojunction with gradient doped P to address the challenges. In the composite, the gradient P doping not only creates a funneled bandgap structure with a built-in electric field oriented from the bulk of P-CdS to the surface, but also facilitates the formation of a tightly connected interface using the co-shared P element. Consequently, the photogenerated charge carriers are enabled to be pumped from inside to surface of the P-CdS and then smoothly across the interface to the Ni2P. The as-obtained P-CdS/Ni2P displays high visible-light-driven H2 evolution rate of ≈8265µmol g-1 h-1, which is 336 times and 120 times as that of CdS and P-CdS, respectively. This work is anticipated to inspire more research attention for designing new gradient-doped semiconductor/cocatalyst heterojunction photocatalysts with bridged interface for efficient solar energy conversion.

Development of a combined system with a hybrid solar collector and determination of its thermal characteristics

The object of the study: a system with a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector. The main problem addressed is to enhance the conversion and utilization efficiency of solar energy by developing a new design of photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector. A computer model of the proposed design of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector (PVT) was developed, and its thermotechnical characteristics were investigated. Patterns of temperature changes in the heat transfer fluid in PVT and thermal accumulator over time of irradiation were determined. It is shown that the instantaneous thermal power of the solar collector was 540 W/m2, and the efficiency was 0.6. Changes in the instantaneous specific thermal power of the system with PVT (up to 450 W/m2) and its efficiency in heat accumulation in the accumulator (0.5) were studied. The high efficiency of PVT can be explained by its optimal design, which ensures simultaneous production of thermal and electrical energy, as well as balancing of the operation of the thermal and photovoltaic parts. The main difference between the developed model and existing analogs is the comprehensive consideration of the interaction of the thermal and photovoltaic parts in one installation. The model allows optimizing the PVT design to increase its efficiency. The research has allowed developing a new design of a photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector, which ensures high efficiency of conversion and utilization of solar energy. The obtained results and the developed model provide a basis for further improvement of PVT and its implementation in power systems of buildings and technological processes to increase the share of solar energy utilization and reduce fossil fuel consumption

Directing the photogenerated charge flow in a photocathodic metal protection system with single‐domain ferroelectric PbTiO3 nanoplates

AbstractPhotocathodic protection (PCP) is arguably an ideal alternative technology to the conventional electrochemical cathodic protection methods for corrosion mitigation of metallic infrastructure due to its eco‐friendliness and low‐energy‐consumption, but the construction of highly‐efficient PCP systems still remains challenging, caused primarily by the lack of driving force to guide the charge flow through the whole PCP photoanodes. Here, we tackle this key issue by equipping the PCP photoanode with ferroelectric single‐domain PbTiO3 nanoplates, which can form a directional “macroscopic electric field” throughout the entire photoanode controllable by external polarization. The properly poled PCP photoanode allows the photogenerated electrons and holes to migrate in opposite directions, that is, electrons to the protected metal and holes to the photoanode/electrolyte interface, leading to largely suppressed charge annihilation and consequently a considerable boost in the overall solar energy conversion efficiency of the PCP system. The as‐fabricated photoanode can not only supply sufficient photocurrent to 304 stainless steel to initiate cathodic protection, but also shift the metal potential to the corrosion‐free range. Our findings provide a viable design strategy for future high‐performance PCP systems based on ferroelectric nanomaterials with enhanced charge flow manipulation.

Thermodynamic theorical and parametric analysis of a photovoltaic-photo/thermochemistry synergistic conversion system with full spectrum cascading utilization

Solar spectral splitting and cascade utilization is an efficient way to improve solar energy conversion efficiency. This study analyzes the photovoltaic-photo/thermochemistry synergistic conversion system from a thermodynamic perspective. The photo/thermochemistry conversion combined with photochemistry and thermochemistry can effectively utilize the residual spectrum that photovoltaic cannot efficiently use. Through the established thermodynamic model, the thermodynamic limitation of the photovoltaic-photo/thermochemistry synergistic conversion system is calculated. The analysis examines the effects of parameters such as cutoff wavelengths, concentration ratios, and internal irreversibility on system performance, including photovoltaic output voltage, available energy per absorbed photon of photocatalysis, conversion temperature, and selective absorption cutoff wavelength. The results indicate a high thermodynamic limitation of 47.1% at one sun and 68.56% at full concentrations. Energy and exergy flow analysis identifies the proportion of system energy and exergy loss. Compared with other spectral splitting systems, the proposed system demonstrates a significant advantage in solar cascading utilization. This study provides a thermodynamic foundation for the development and design of photovoltaic-photo/thermochemistry synergistic conversion systems.

Synergistic coupling of photocatalytic H2 evolution and selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol over ZnIn2S4/Ni in aqueous solution

The synergistic coupling of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and selective organic matter conversion is extremely attractive, as clean fuel and high value–added chemicals can be produced simultaneously with light as the sole energy input. Herein, we developed a dual functional photocatalyst (ZnIn2S4/Ni) for efficient photocatalytic conversion of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde with simultaneous hydrogen production. Consequently, ZnIn2S4/Ni displayed a top-level benzaldehyde and H2 evolution rate even in aqueous media. The yield of benzaldehyde reaches 19.3 mmol/g/h, which is 33 times higher than that of naked ZnIn2S4 and even exceeds that of precious metal systems (Pt, Pd, Ru). Here, Ni site not only acted as an effective co–catalyst for charge separation, but also played an important role in accelerating the α–C–H bond cleavage during the dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol. This work provides a cost-effective and green reference path for the efficient conversion of solar energy to chemical energy.

Harnessing synergistic effects in GQD@Pt(II) nanocomposites for enhanced photovoltaic performance: a computational study.

The development of efficient solar energy conversion technologies is crucial for addressing global energy challenges and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Platinum(II) complexes are promising materials for photovoltaic applications due to their strong light absorption and long-lived excited states. However, their narrow absorption in the visible spectrum and stability issues limit their performance. Combining platinum(II) complexes with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) can enhance photovoltaic performance by leveraging the complementary light harvesting and charge transfer characteristics of the two components. This study utilizes density functional theory (DFT) calculations to explore their electronic structures, charge transfer dynamics, and photoelectric performance. Specifically, it investigates the effects of incorporating different substituents, either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing, onto the fluorene motif of the Pt(II) complex. The findings reveal that combining GQDs with Pt(II) complexes extends light absorption into the UV range, enabling comprehensive solar utilization. Upon photoexcitation, electrons migrate between the GQD conduction band and the Pt(II) complex, stabilizing charges and enhancing extraction. Substituents significantly influence charge transfer dynamics: electron-withdrawing groups promote transfer to the GQD, while electron-donating groups encourage charge separation and delocalization. Nanocomposites featuring electron-donating substituents achieve the highest energy conversion efficiencies, with GQD@Pt(II)-NPh2 reaching 24.6%. This is attributed to improved light harvesting, efficient charge injection, and reduced recombination. These insights guide the rational design of GQD-Pt(II) nanocomposites, optimizing charge separation and transfer processes for enhanced photovoltaic performance. The computational approach employed here provides a robust tool for developing advanced materials in renewable energy technologies. The computational studies reported in this work were performed using the DFT approach, specifically employing the hybrid functional PBE0. The PBE0 functional's accuracy in describing electronic structures and excited-state properties is essential for understanding charge transfer processes, photoabsorption, and emission characteristics in metal-organic complexes. Geometry optimizations and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were carried out to investigate the properties of the nanocomposites. The effects of solvents were replicated using the conductor-like polarizable continuum model (CPCM). The charge transfer length (ΔL) and interfragment charge transfer (ΔQ) were calculated using the Multiwfn software package, and all calculations were performed using the BDF software package.

Cost Effective Photothermal Materials Selection for Direct Solar-Driven Evaporation.

The cornerstone of eco-friendly and affordable freshwater generation lies in harnessing solar energy for water evaporation. This process involves extracting vapor from liquid water using solar energy. Numerous innovative, low-cost materials have been proposed for this purpose. These materials aim to enable highly controllable and efficient conversion of solar energy into thermal energy while maintaining high cost-effectiveness. Here, in this review paper, we outline the advancements in solar-driven evaporation technology with a focus on optimizing synthesis methods and materials cost. It prioritizes refining evaporation efficiency and affordability using inventive manufacturing methods. By utilizing innovative reasonably priced materials, this process not only ensures efficient resource utilization but also fosters technological advancements in renewable energy applications. Moreover, the affordability of these materials makes solar-powered water evaporation accessible to a wider range of communities, empowering them to address water scarcity challenges.

Electronic and optical properties of As/Bi2Se3 van der Waals heterostructure: Ab initio insights

In this study, based on the first-principles calculations, we theoretically studied the electronic and optical properties of two dimensional (2D) As/Bi2Se3 van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure. The results show that all the materials exhibit semiconducting behavior with calculated band gaps of Eg = 1.71, 1.0, and 1.65 eV without spin-orbit coupling (SOC), for As monolayer, Bi2Se3 monolayer, and As/Bi2Se3 heterostructure respectively. Notably, the As/Bi2Se3 heterostructure demonstrates a type-II band alignment, facilitating the effective spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. This characteristic offers exciting opportunities for applications in efficient optoelectronic devices, photocatalysis, and solar energy conversion. The optical properties studies show that the heterostructure exhibits significant light absorption across the visible to ultraviolet light spectrum, making it a promising candidate for a wide array of optoelectronic devices.

Structural and opto-electronic engineering with ZnS ETL via PVD technique for efficient and durable heterojunction perovskite solar cells

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into fabrication and characterization of HJPSC leveraging chalcogenide Zinc Sulphide (ZnS) thin films as ETL and Selenium (Se) as a protective capping layer through PVD technique. ZnS thin films annealed at 200 °C, 300 °C and 400 °C were systematically analyzed for their structural and opto-electronic properties. Among them, ZnS-1, annealed at 200 °C, demonstrated superior performance with high transmittance, optimal crystallite size, wide bandgap, lowest photoluminescence intensity, high conductivity and low resistivity. Consequently, ZnS-1 was selected as the ETL for HJPSC fabrication. The HJPSC device was fabricated with ZnS/MAPbI3--Se/Ag as device structure with Se as capping layer. SEM images confirmed the smooth and continuous nature of the ZnS-1 film, while X-Ray diffraction analysis validated the purity and crystallinity of MAPbI3 perovskite layer. The successful alignment of the perovskite absorption band with the solar cell emission spectrum obtained by UV–Vis spectra highlighted the potential for efficient solar energy conversion. J-V characteristics of the HJPSC device exhibited a high short-circuit current (Jsc) of 20.18 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.99 V, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.1 % and fill factor (FF) of 45.7 % was accredited to improved electron conductance and of ZnS-1 as an ETL.

Construction of PPS based carbon fiber photothermal foam for crude oil absorption and seawater desalination

Efficient and clean solar energy conversion through photothermal materials has garnered significant attention, finding applications across energy, environmental protection, and healthcare sectors. This project focused on developing waste PPS-based carbon fiber (PCF) foam, emphasizing the high-value utilization of waste fibers in solar photothermal oil-absorption and photothermal evaporation applications. With exceptional light-absorption capabilities exceeding 97 %, the PCF@PDMS foam demonstrated superior photothermal conversion efficiency alongside impressive mechanical properties, facilitating effective absorption of highly viscous crude oil. Through PVA/CNF hydrophilic modification, internal water supply channels were integrated into the mPCF@PDMS foam, optimizing the evaporation surface area by retaining hydrophobic regions. This design not only enhanced thermal insulation but also significantly increased the evaporation rate to 2.00 kg·m−2·h−1 with an efficiency of 89.89 % under 1.0 sun irradiation. The presence of hydrophobic regions endowed the evaporator with self-floating ability, enhancing its practicality. During simulations of seawater desalination, the prepared evaporator exhibited remarkable salt crystallization resistance attributed to the strong water supply capacity and Marangoni effect induced during saltwater evaporation, facilitating salt diffusion and water evaporation. Overall, the foams developed in this project hold substantial application potential in the realm of photothermal technology.

Pivotal role of water vapor–mediated defect engineering on SrTiO3 nanofiber toward efficient photocatalytic water splitting

The oxygen vacancies (OVs) have played key roles as either charge carrier traps for inhibiting recombination or directly as active sites for photocatalytic redox reactions. In this study, the population and types of oxygen vacancies within the electrospun SrTiO3 nanofibers were modulated through water vapor and air atmosphere annealing respectively. Combining the distinctive 1D nanofibrous structure with optimized OVs, the water vapor–mediated OVs-rich SrTiO3 nanofibers achieved a significant enhancement in specific surface area and porosity, effectively suppressing the recombination of photogenerated carriers. The OVs can effectively promote the conversion of photon excitons into charge carriers, accelerate the carrier separation, and facilitate surface redox reaction. The optimized water vapor–mediated STO-W-700 exhibited abundant active sites and rapid surface charge separation/migration across the nanofibers, leading to an exceptional hydrogen production performance of 296.82 μmolg/h. During the photocatalytic process, the OVs act synergistically with nearby metal sites to optimize the adsorption energy of reactants. This work not only provides an effective pathway for manipulating oxygen vacancies through water vapor–mediated defect engineering strategy, but also reveals a new water splitting mechanism, laying the foundation for further research and development of efficient solar energy conversion technologies.

Enhanced Water Oxidation of Hematite Photoanodes via Localized n‐p Homojunctions Induced by Gradient Zn2+ Doping

AbstractConstructing an internal electric field (IEF) within the hematite (Fe2O3) photoanode for highly efficient water oxidation performance with facilitated charge transfer and separation remains still a significant challenge. Unlike the conventional approach of creating interfacial electric fields through heterojunction design by introducing another semiconductor, a novel strategy is proposed for engineering localized n‐p homojunctions on the surface of Fe2O3 photoanode using gradient Zn2+ doping strategy. By implementing this approach, the inherent n‐type characteristics of Fe2O3 can be transformed into p‐type, thereby facilitating the formation of an n‐p junction with robust IEF, which enables more efficient charge separation and transfer. Additionally, the gradient Zn2+ doping is accompanied by the generation of oxygen vacancies, which further improves the charge transfer efficiency and accelerates water oxidation kinetics. As expected, the photocurrent density of optimized Fe2O3 photoanode at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode is ≈2.6‐fold that of Fe2O3. This work provides a novel perspective on the design of localized n‐p homojunction within photoanodes for achieving high solar energy conversion efficiency.

Z-scheme ferrite nanoparticle/graphite carbon nitride nanosheet heterojunctions for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Visible light-driven photocatalytic water splitting has been considered one of the most promising sustainable approaches toward solar fuel production. As a substitute for metal oxide semiconductors, 2D graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) have been suffered a major challenge owing to its moderate bandgap (∼2.8 eV) and the synergistic effect of using spinel metal ferrites with a narrow bandgap (∼1.7 eV–1.9 eV) as a cocatalyst is promising to enhance solar energy conversion efficiency and stability. The as-synthesized gCN/copper ferrite (CFO) nanocomposites exhibit 10-fold augmentation in the photocurrent density (∼5 μA cm−2) compared with pure gCN. Remarkably, the gCN/CFO nanocomposites also exhibit 24 times increment in the rate of photocatalytic H2 evolution (∼488 μmol g−1) in contrast with pure gCN (∼20 μmol g−1 h−1). The amalgamation of gCN with metal ferrites has resulted in the development of direct Z-scheme heterojunction at the interface, facilitating the spatial separation of electrons and holes and boosting photocatalytic performance. Oxygen vacancies enhance the photocatalytic efficacy of the nanocomposites, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Moreover, the as-synthesized composites are highly stable in structure and morphology under light irradiation without considerable reduction in the catalytic performance over several cycles. Therefore, this work presents a facile approach using metal ferrites as co-catalysts to develop graphitic carbon-nitride-based photocatalysts for solar light-assisted green fuel generation.

Conformational and environmental effects on the electronic and vibrational properties of dyes for solar cell devices.

The main challenge for solar cell devices is harvesting photons beyond the visible by reaching the red-edge (650-780nm). Dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) devices combine the optical absorption and the charge separation processes by the association of a sensitizer as a light-absorbing material (dye molecules, whose absorption can be tuned and designed) with a wide band gap nanostructured semiconductor. Conformational and environmental effects (i.e., solvent, pH) can drastically influence the photophysical properties of molecular dyes. This study proposes a combined experimental and computational approach for the comprehensive investigation of the electronic and vibrational properties of a unique class of organic dye compounds belonging to the family of red-absorbing dyes, known as squaraines. Our focus lies on elucidating the intricate interplay between the molecular structure, vibrational dynamics, and optical properties of squaraines using state-of-the-art density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic techniques. Through systematic vibrational and optical analyses, we show that (i) the main absorption peak in the visible range is influenced by the conformational and protonation equilibria, (ii) the solvent polarity tunes the position of the UV-vis absorption, and (iii) the vibrational spectroscopy techniques (infrared and Raman) can be used as informative tools to distinguish between different conformations and protonation states. This comprehensive understanding offers valuable insights into the design and optimization of squaraine-based DSSCs for enhanced solar energy conversion efficiency.

Upgrading structural conjugation in covalent organic framework with spatial dual sites enables boosting solar-to-H2O2-to-•OH for environmental remediation

Designing photocatalysts with well-defined structure-function relationships is imperative for propelling the progression of desired photocatalytic oxidation. Herein, the efficient conversion of solar energy to H2O2 and subsequently to hydroxyl radicals (•OH) is achieved through a synergistic interplay between olefin linkage (-CC-) and spatially separated benzene-triazine dual reaction sites within covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The upgraded -CC- can increase the conjugation degree of COFs, which establishes an expanded superstructure for boosting charge separation/transfer and stability. This precise modulation renders more opportunities for the hot electrons to migrate to the benzene site for solar-to-H2O2 generation, and to the triazine site for H2O2-to-•OH, separately. The optimized •OH generation pathway enables remarkable oxidation performances against recalcitrant organic pollutants, and pathogenic microorganisms under visible light irradiation. This work provides new insights for tuning the synergistic interactions of various building blocks within the COFs for the selective generation of highly reactive •OH for environmental remediation.

Development of Bio-Photoelectrochemical Hybrids for Solar Energy Conversion

Recent advancements in solar energy conversion have identified bio-photoelectrochemical hybrids as one of the most promising sustainable techniques. This study integrates BiVO4 and TiO2 semiconductors with photoautotrophic microorganisms (e.g., Algae) to enhance solar energy conversion. Thin films of these materials were prepared and characterized, revealing a relatively smooth surface for BiVO4 while structures for TiO2 thin films deposited as nanorods. Optical properties showed band gaps of ≤ 3.1 and 2.4 eV for TiO2 and BiVO4, respectively. The point of zero charge of materials was investigated, indicating that naturally occurring biofilm formation might not be favorable for as-prepared materials. To overcome this challenge, we aimed to use polyelectrolytes to enhance attachment of cells on the surface of semiconductor and in this regards we determined the biocompatibility of using this approach. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements were conducted to evaluate solar energy conversion efficiency. This study offers insights into optimizing biosystem attachment, biofilm stability, and PEC performance of coupled semiconductors with photoautotrophic microorganisms as one photoelectrode in PEC cell, advancing sustainable solar energy conversion technologies.