Harnessing infrared solar energy with plasmonic energy upconversion

Zichao Lian, Yoichi Kobayashi, Junie Jhon M. Vequizo, Chandana Sampath Kumara Ranasinghe, Akira Yamakata, Takuro Nagai, Koji Kimoto, Katsuaki Kobayashi, Koji Tanaka, Toshiharu Teranishi () and Masanori Sakamoto ()
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Zichao Lian: University of Shanghai for Science and Technology
Yoichi Kobayashi: Ritsumeikan University
Junie Jhon M. Vequizo: Okayama University
Chandana Sampath Kumara Ranasinghe: Toyota Technological Institute, Hisakata, Tempaku
Akira Yamakata: Okayama University
Takuro Nagai: National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Koji Kimoto: National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Katsuaki Kobayashi: Osaka City University
Koji Tanaka: Kyoto University, Yoshidaushinomiyacho
Toshiharu Teranishi: Kyoto University
Masanori Sakamoto: Kyoto University

Nature Sustainability, 2022, vol. 5, issue 12, 1092-1099

Abstract: Abstract Solar radiation is the most abundant renewable energy source, however, its overall utilization remains inefficient as half of the energy is in the form of infrared (IR) light, which cannot be harnessed due to its low energy. Upconversion (UC) is an effective means of converting IR radiation to high-energy light. Here, we show a plasmonic CuS/CdS heterostructured semiconductor that can generate energy comparable to that of visible light from IR radiation, with a high efficiency of up to 5.1%. The unique charge dynamics of this system lead to efficient carrier transfer and long-lived charge separation. As a result, photocatalytic coupled redox reactions occur, including oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and hydrogen evolution, with activities maintained over one week. This work demonstrates the promise of plasmonic UC for utilizing sustainable energy from low-flux IR light.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00975-9

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