Solar energy conversion technology

It is clear that interface phenomena will play a widespread and dominant role in many solar energy conversion technologies. Preparing stable... 

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction of CO2 with a p-type semiconductor electrode can be regarded as one of the solar energy conversion technologies and is important from a view-point of the global environmental problems. The reaction proceeds by essentially the same mechanism as photosynthesis and is of much interest as an artificial model for it. A number of studies have been made [1], but the photovoltage or the solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency still remains relatively low. We reported [2-4] that a p-Si electrode modified with small metal (Cu, Au and Ag) particles worked as an ideal-type electrode for the PEC reduction of CO2 in aqueous solutions. In the present paper we will report that the electrode of this type is also effective for the PEC reduction of CO2 in non-aqueous solutions which have high CO2 solubility. 

Solar Thermal Electric Systems - Solar energy conversion technologies that convert solar energy to electricity, by heating a... 

Solar Energy Conversion Technology for Producing Fuels and Chemicals... 

Electrochemical Polymer Electrolyte Membranes covers PEMs from fundamentals to applications, describing their structure, properties, characterization, synthesis, and use in electrochemical energy storage and solar energy conversion technologies. Featuring chapters authored by leading experts from academia and industry, this authoritative text ... 

Meissner D (2002) Photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion. In Luther J, Nast M, Norbert Fisch M, Christoffers D, Pfisterer F, Meissner D, Nitsch J (Article) Solar Technology. Ullmanns Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley VCH (electronic release)... 

A dye which shows particular promise for this application is the octahedral ruthenium(n) complex of 2,2 -bipyridyl (234). While this type of system appears to offer considerable potential as a means of solar energy conversion, the efficiency of the technology, at its current state of development, is significantly lower than that of traditional silicon photocells. 

In recent years, electrochemical charge transfer processes have received considerable theoretical attention at the quantum mechanical level. These quantal treatments are pivotal in understanding underlying processes of technological importance, such as electrode kinetics, electrocatalysis, corrosion, energy transduction, solar energy conversion, and electron transfer in biological systems. 

The increasing concern related to the utilization of fossil fuels for the production of electricity in terms of both availability and environmental issues have prompted the search of new technologies for the production of clean energy sources. In this context, solar energy conversion represents one of the most promising and viable technologies to achieve this goal. 

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