A multicomponent molecular approach to artificial photosynthesis – the role of fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes

Abstract

In this review article, we highlight recent advances in the field of solar energy conversion at a molecular level.We focus mainly on investigations regarding fullerenes as well as endohedral metallofullerenes in energy and/ or electron donor-acceptor conjugates, hybrids, and arrays, but will also discuss several more advanced systems. Hereby, the mimicry of the fundamental processes occurring in natural photosynthesis, namely light harvesting (LH), energy transfer (EnT), reductive/oxidative electron transfer (ET), and catalysis (CAT), which serve as a blue print for the rational design of artificial photosynthetic systems, stand at the focalpoint. Importantly, the key processes in photosynthesis, that is, LH, EnT, ET, and CAT, define the structure of this review with the only further differentiation in terms of covalent and non-covalent systems. Fullerenes as well as endohedral metallofullerenes are chosen by virtue of their small reorganization energies in electron transfer processes, on the one hand, and their exceptional redox behaviour, on the other hand.

Design and photochemical study of supramolecular donor–acceptor systems assembled via metal–ligand axial coordination

“…Since then, a few reviews and monographs have appeared in the literature [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. In addition, nanocarbons beyond fullerenes, viz., carbon nanotubes and endohedral fullerenes, have been also employed [35][36][37][38].…”

Review—Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorn-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

“…[142][143][144][145][146][147] However, a full-fledged understanding on the underlying mechanisms is necessary to build the basis for the application on an industrial scale.…”

Katalyse der Kohlenstoffdioxid‐Photoreduktion an Nanoschichten: Grundlagen und Herausforderungen

“…Erfolge im Bereich der Photokatalyse während des letzten Jahrzehnts haben verstärktes Interesse an der Nutzung des Sonnenlichts zur Reduktion von CO 2 hervorgerufen. [12] 1.1. B. TiO 2 )s ind fürdie Anwendung in natürlichem Sonnenlicht nicht geeignet und sogar unter UV-Bestrahlung nicht effizient genug.Kürzlich wurden einige zweidimensionale (2D) Materialien fürdie katalytische CO 2 -Reduktion entwickelt.…”