Photocatalytic Fuel Cells for Simultaneous Wastewater Treatment and Power Generation: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Hari Bhakta Oli, Allison A. Kim, Mira Park, Deval Prasad Bhattarai and Bishweshwar Pant
Additional contact information
Hari Bhakta Oli: Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal
Allison A. Kim: Department of Healthcare Management, Woosong University, Daejeon 34606, Korea
Mira Park: Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju, Chonbuk 55338, Korea
Deval Prasad Bhattarai: Department of Chemistry, Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal
Bishweshwar Pant: Carbon Composite Energy Nanomaterials Research Center, Woosuk University, Wanju, Chonbuk 55338, Korea

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Technological advancement is accompanied by excessive consumption of fossil fuels and affluent uses of chemical substances in many sectors, including transportation and manufacturing companies, and so on. Being an exhaustible resource, the excessive use of fossil fuels and of chemical substances may lead to a serious energy crisis in the long run, and it may additionally impose environmental pollution. Attempts have been made in the solution of such serious issues from every nook and corner. Nonetheless, no method has been found to be a panacea in waste water treatment and subsequent beneficiaries. One of the attempts in the solution to such issues is the application of photocatalytic technology, which could serve as a dual function in environmental remediation and clean energy production. A photocatalytic fuel cell is a tool developed for the recovery of energy from organic wastes. A rational cell construction needs the fabrication of photoelectrodes, the design of a photoanode and a photocathode chamber, in addition to an ion-transport membrane for pollution treatment and electricity generation. In this review, comprehensive fundamental assessments and recent developments in the design of photocatalytic fuel cells, their applications, future prospects, and challenges are covered.

Keywords: photocatalysis; photocatalytic fuel cell; semiconductor; organic waste; hydrogen evolution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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