Chapter 5: Bioinspired Photocatalytic Nanomaterials

Solar energy is one of the few alternative energy sources that could meet increased future energy demands. Mimicking natural photosynthesis has been a goal for the research community for decades, designing artificial molecular systems for the electrolysis of water. This chapter discusses recent developments and challenges on the rational design and assembly of nanoscale catalysts based on biological principles that are required for the water-splitting reaction – for the production of oxygen and hydrogen gas driven by light. Natural biogenic systems with delicate symmetries and hierarchy vary widely in shape and size with diverse chemical and physical properties. These physical differences allow researchers to design ordered structures and assemblies from biotemplates rendering efficient functional devices. For the development of highly ordered nanostructures for smaller, lightweight flexible solar cells, the design, selection, and assembly of materials are key issues from the organization of disordered components through spontaneous interactions. Rapid advances in nanoscience coupled with the revolution in biology has imparted unprecedented opportunities to design functional nanomaterials based on biological principles. Biological templates, such as bacteriophages, offer environmentally friendly synthesis and organization of nanomaterials to develop functional assemblies for developing complete photoelectrochemical systems.