Enabling artificial photosynthesis systems with molecular recycling: A review of photo- and electrochemical methods for regenerating organic sacrificial electron donors

Abstract

This review surveys advances in the literature that impact organic sacrificial electron donor recycling in artificial photosynthesis. Systems for photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction are optimized using sacrificial electron donors. One strategy for coupling carbon dioxide reduction and water oxidation to achieve artificial photosynthesis is to use a redox mediator, or recyclable electron donor. This review highlights photo- and electrochemical methods for recycling amines and NADH analogues that can be used as electron donors in artificial photosynthesis. Important properties of sacrificial donors and recycling strategies are also discussed. Compounds from other fields, such as redox flow batteries and decoupled water splitting research, are introduced as alternative recyclable sacrificial electron donors and their oxidation potentials are compared to the redox potentials of some model photosensitizers. The aim of this review is to act as a reference for researchers developing photocatalytic systems with sacrificial electron donors, and for researchers interested in designing new redox mediator and recyclable electron donor species.

Keywords

• artificial photosynthesis
• photocatalysis
• redox couple
• sacrificial electron donor
• solar fuels