Title : Hierarchical redox coupling and regenerative electrochemical energetic for sustainable heliophotonic transduction and reversible energy conversion and storage
Abstract:
The transition towards sustainable energy systems requires solar-conversion technologies that combine environmental compatibility, economical material selection, efficient charge transport, and reliable energy storage. Natural pigments, offer promising opportunities as light-harvesting sensitizers because of their broad optical absorption, structural diversity, and potential availability from renewable biological resources. This research proposes a natural pigment-sensitized photoelectrochemical platform in which engineered electrode surfaces and surrounding micro- and nanoparticles are investigated to improve interfacial charge separation, electron transport, and the reversible conversion of solar energy into usable electrical or chemically stored energy. The proposed system integrates pigment-functionalized semiconductor surfaces, conductive and catalytic nanostructures, and carefully selected charge-transfer media. Particular attention is given to the possibility of operating under ambient atmospheric conditions, thereby reducing dependence on separately maintained reaction chambers where the selected chemistry permits such an arrangement. Atmospheric gases are considered potential participants in charge-transfer or redox processes only where their specific chemical roles are experimentally established. The central hypothesis is that controlled surface functionalization, optimized particle distribution, improved pigment–electrode coupling, and suppression of charge recombination may enhance energy-harvesting performance and operational durability. A comparative experimental framework is proposed to evaluate optical absorption, photocurrent density, photoconversion efficiency, charge-transfer resistance, storage capacity, and cyclic stability against appropriate control devices. The approach further explores the integration of photoelectrochemical conversion with rechargeable storage components to support sustained delivery of solar-derived energy. Rather than assuming perpetual operation or a reaction without energy or material requirements, the study emphasizes renewable solar input, regenerative charge-transfer pathways, minimized consumable use, and measurable energy efficiency. The proposed platform could contribute to low-cost solar devices, distributed power generation, building-integrated photovoltaics, and hybrid solar-storage technologies. Its practical significance will depend on experimental verification of conversion efficiency, pigment stability, atmospheric compatibility, and long-term performance.
Keywords: Solar-energy conversion; Renewable energy, natural-dye; interfacial electron transport; reversible redox chemistry; sustainable energy storage; conversion efficiency.
