Are sulfur vacancy-engineered metal sulfide photocatalysts suitable for solar energy conversion?

The vital roles of sulfur vacancy in promoting charge separation and inhibiting photocorrosion are summarized. Finally, the development prospects and opportunities of sulfur–vacancy-engineered metal sulfide photocatalysts for solar energy conversion are proposed.

Can sulfur be used for solar energy?

To reach their objectives, project partners have tapped into the potential of sulfur for thermochemically storing solar energy and generating carbon-free round-the-clock electricity. This concept was combined with an innovative centrifugal receiver that can heat bauxite particles to 900 °C by concentrated solar energy.

How can solar energy be converted into thermal energy?

Apart from the direct pathway of solar energy to chemical energy, solar energy can also be transformed to thermal energy through the photothermal effect, and thereby promoting the catalytic reactions. The photothermal effect has three different mechanisms: nonradiative relaxation, thermal vibration, and plasmonic heating.

Can solar energy be stored in sulfur?

The technology was tested at the Jülich Solar Power Tower of the German Aerospace Center. The key concept behind storing solar energy in sulfur relies on sulfur combustion. The innovative process developed by the project team involves a number of steps.

Is solar energy a viable energy source?

By virtue of its abundance and sustainability, solar energy has been recognized as the most promising energy source, and it will play the most important role in the energy-source structure of the future. In 1972, Fujishima and Honda first reported that TiO 2 can be used as a photoelectrode for water splitting.

What is the second most prominent process for solar organic synthesis?

The second most prominent process for solar organic synthesis is endoperoxide formation. Artemisinins, a class of semisynthetic polycyclic endoperoxides, have been on the frontline of antimalarial therapy for the last decades.