Sustainable methods in producing commodity chemicals and fuels that are scalable and cost-competitive are highly desired for the transition to a carbon-neutral future. Current processes mainly utilize fossil-based fuels, thus contributing to the increasing risks of global warming. To overcome this issue, solar energy, which is the most abundant renewable source, should be more effectively and broadly capitalized. For example, photoelectrochemical synthesis of fuels, organic and inorganic commodity chemicals (e.g. by water splitting or CO₂ reduction) exploiting direct sunlight—and renewable electricity sources for additional bias potential—is a challenging but promising option. In this approach, lack of suitable materials that can perform the solar energy conversion process in an efficient and selective manner remains the biggest limitation. In addition, integrated large-scale photoelectrochemical devices and system concepts for producing fuels and commodity chemicals still need to be identified. Therefore, in-depth understanding of the individual materials characteristics as well as the interrelated properties in an integrated system are necessary to step closer towards the realization of such a sustainable route.

This symposium provides an international and interdisciplinary platform to discuss the latest trends and future directions in photoelectrochemical production of fuels and commodity chemicals. Specific emphasis will be placed on novel light absorbers, fundamental understanding through in-situ characterizations, photoelectrocatalysts for CO₂ reduction, as well as photoelectrosynthesis of valuable commodity chemicals. In addition, cell design and engineering aspects (mass transport, product separation, etc.) that enable large-scale operation of the solar energy conversion device will also be highlighted.

catalytic devices electronic structure energy generation kinetics semiconducting simulation surface chemistry Sustainability