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Solar energy conversion from water photolysis by biological and chemical systems

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Abstract

The production of chemicals and fuels, or energy-rich compounds, from water by sunlight is described as a particularly attractive means for the conversion of solar energy to a valuable renewable resource. The redox properties of photoexcited molecules and the operating mechanism of light-driven systems are first considered. The mechanism of water oxidation carried out by higher plants and green algae-which is actually one of the most important biochemical reactions—as well as that of artificial photosystems, up-to-now designed trying to simulate the natural process with higher efficiency and simplicity, are likewise discussed. A number of biological and chemical light-driven systems are presented as practical ways to solar energy conversion.

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Abbreviations

chl:

chlorophyll

Eó:

standard redox potential

E0-0 :

0-0 spectroscopic energy

F:

flavin

MV:

methyl viologen

MO2:

metal dioxide

P and P:

ground and energized states of a pigment

Ru(bpy)n+ 3 :

tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(n)

V0-0:

electron potentialgap between the zero vibrational levels of two orbitals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Biología, Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, Universidad de Sevilla y CSIC, Apdo. 1113, 40180-Seoilla, Spain

    Miguel A. De La Rosa, José A. Navarro & Mercedes Roncel

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  1. Miguel A. De La Rosa
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  2. José A. Navarro
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  3. Mercedes Roncel
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De La Rosa, M.A., Navarro, J.A. & Roncel, M. Solar energy conversion from water photolysis by biological and chemical systems. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 30, 61–81 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02922024

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