Abstract

Semiconductor nanomaterials hold the keys for efficient solar energy harvesting and conversion processes like photocatalysis and photoelectrochemical reactions. In this talk, we will give a brief overview of our recent progress in designing semiconductor nanomaterials for photoelectrochemical energy conversion including solar hydrogen generation and low-cost solar cells. In more details, we have been focusing on a few aspects; 1) photocatalysis mechanism, light harvesting, charge separation and transfer and surface reaction engineering of low-cost metal oxide based semiconductors including TiO2, BiVO4 as efficient photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical hydrogen production; 2) the working mechanism and stability improvement of perovskite quantum dots for high efficient solar cells; 3). The design of ultra-stable composites of perovskite-MOF with improved light emitting performance.1-7 The resultant material systems exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance and improved power conversion efficiency in solar cells, which underpin sustainable development of solar-energy conversion application.