Plasmon Induced Photoelectrochemistry for artificial photosynthesis

The Air Force has a strategic need for a fuel source that is renewable (and which does not rely on foreign petroleum sources). Several approaches to a renewable fuel source have been investigated; with “artificial photosynthesis” being one example. At its core, the photosynthesis reaction is a photoinduced charge separation reaction with light being concentrated by antenna complexes onto a catalyst with molecular resonance; and most artificial photosynthesis systems are derived from this approach. However, this approach suffers from a generic problem in that catalysts with molecular resonances tend to degrade rapidly when exposed to light. Tanner Research and Caltech are proposing to leverage recent developments in plasmon-induced photoelectrochemistry catalysis to develop a low cost artificial photosynthesis system that can generate charge separation as the first step, and which uses that charge buildup to generate fuel as the second step. In Phase I, we will demonstrate a low cost artificial photosynthesis system with incident photon to converted electron (IPCE) efficiency of 20%. In Phase II, we will demonstrate a complete system that generates fuel with 10% efficiency. BENEFIT: Renewable fuel sources will significantly improve the strategic security of the USAF.