Modulating charge carriers in carbon dots toward efficient solar‐to‐energy conversion. Issue 4 (18th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Namhee; Lee, Jiyoung; Gu, Minsu; Kim, Byeong‐Su
• Is Part Of: Carbon energy. Volume 3:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 590
• Page End: 614
• Publication Date: 2021-05-18
• Subjects: carbon dots -- charge carrier -- energy conversion -- photocatalyst -- photoelectrocatalyst; Carbon -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide industry -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research; Energy industries; Carbon dioxide industry; Carbon; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 620.193
• DOI: 10.1002/cey2.115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2637-9368

Abstract

Abstract: Growing attention to the development of sustainable solar‐to‐energy conversion applications has resulted in the synthesis of promising and environment‐friendly nanomaterials as energy harvesters. Among various carbon nanomaterials, carbon dots (CDs) have received significant attention due to their excellent light absorption capability, broad absorption region, and superior photostability with enormous potential for solar energy applications. Therefore, utilizing and modulating the charge carriers generated from CDs is critical for achieving a high energy conversion efficiency of CDs. Herein, we focus on the distinct characteristics of CDs as energy converters from charge excitation to charge separation and transfer for various solar‐to‐energy applications, including photovoltaic cells, photocatalysts, and photoelectrocatalysts. We anticipate that this review will offer insight into the synthesis and design of novel nanocomposites with a fundamental analysis of the photochemical properties and future development of energy conversion devices. Abstract : In this review, we present various strategies to efficiently utilize the photoexcited charge carriers from carbon dots by classifying them into three steps: (i) charge excitation, (ii) charge separation, and (iii) charge transfer toward solar‐to‐energy applications, including photovoltaic cells, photocatalysts, and photoelectrocatalysts.