Volume 64, Issue 29 e202508809
Review

“Electricity”-Assisted Catalytic Solar-to-Fuel Processes

Pengwei Jia

Pengwei Jia

Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Geological Carbon Storage and Low Carbon Utilization of Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083 China

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Yutang Yu

Yutang Yu

Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Geological Carbon Storage and Low Carbon Utilization of Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083 China

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Tong Chen

Tong Chen

Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Geological Carbon Storage and Low Carbon Utilization of Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083 China

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Prof. Hongwei Huang

Corresponding Author

Prof. Hongwei Huang

Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Geological Carbon Storage and Low Carbon Utilization of Resources, Beijing Key Laboratory of Materials Utilization of Nonmetallic Minerals and Solid Wastes, National Laboratory of Mineral Materials, School of Materials Science and Technology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083 China

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 12 May 2025

Graphical Abstract

“Electricity” plays a pivotal role in efficiently converting solar energy into fuels. This review proposes a dual-path framework for solar-to-fuel conversion: cross-space charge transport systems (external/self-powered driving forces) and local electric field regulation systems (static intrinsic/dynamic fields), elucidating their roles in bridging light absorption and fuel synthesis through distinct electricity-mediated catalytic mechanisms.

Abstract

Efficient conversion of solar energy into chemical fuels is pivotal for establishing sustainable energy systems, yet persistent challenges in carrier dynamics and reaction selectivity hinder practical implementation. This review systematically examines the emerging paradigm of “electricity” assisted solar-to-fuel catalysis, innovatively proposing a dual-path framework based on distinct electrical intervention mechanisms: Cross-Space Charge Transfer System and Local Electric Field Regulation System, elucidating their unique roles in bridging light absorption and fuel synthesis. In the former, the charge transfer driven by external bias enhances the separation of photogenerated charges in single photoelectrode photoelectrocatalysis (PEC), while the self-powered dual photoelectrodes PEC-PEC, photovoltaic-photoelectrocatalysis (PV-PEC), and photovoltaic-electrocatalysis (PV-EC) systems achieve zero energy conversion from solar energy to fuel through band matching and device integration, utilizing charge transfer driven by photogenerated potential. In the latter, static intrinsic electric field (ferroelectric spontaneous polarization electric field and interface electric field) and dynamic electric field (piezoelectric, pyroelectric, flexoelectric, and triboelectric induced transient electric field) optimize carrier transport dynamics and accelerate reactant adsorption. This article systematically summarizes the promotion of diverse forms of “electricity” on solar-to-fuel catalysis, reveals the energy conversion mechanisms, material design principles, performance bottlenecks, and solutions of different systems, providing insights into the development of this field.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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