CHAPTER 9: Photocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis for Energy Generation Using PhotoFuelCells

This chapter presents PhotoFuelCells as an alternative means of conversion of solar energy into electricity or hydrogen. PhotoFuelCells are photoelectrochemical cells, which can consume an inorganic or (mainly) organic substance to produce a useful form of energy. If the consumed substance is a waste, PhotoFuelCells offer the double environmental benefit of renewable energy production with environmental remediation. A PhotoFuelCell functions by employing a photocatalyst to carry out oxidation and an electrocatalyst to carry out reduction reactions. The chapter is a review of the authors' recent work in this domain but it also discusses some recent unpublished data, as examples of PhotoFuelCell application.