CO 2 is Converted into Renewable Energy and Green Products in a Membraneless Solar-Driven Fuel Cell

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The urgent need for innovative renewable energy technologies and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is increasingly critical for global sustainability. Photocatalytic fuel cells (PFCs) present a promising solution by integrating solar energy harvesting with the direct and spontaneous conversion of chemical energy into electricity, not only achieving zero carbon emissions but also generating carbon credits. In this study, we developed BiVO 4 /WO 3 /V 2 O 5 photoanodes and Cu 2 O/CuO photocathodes for a single-compartment, membraneless, solar-driven fuel cell that simultaneously converts CO 2 and sulfite ions into electrical power and green fuels. Our optimized device achieved an open-circuit voltage of 0.50 V, a short-circuit current of 0.50 mA cm –2, and a maximum output power of 0.05 mW cm –2 at one sun illumination. We extensively characterized the photoelectrodes’ morphology and their structural, optical, and electronic properties to elucidate the PFC’s operating mechanism. The device primarily produced ethanol from CO 2 reduction, followed by formate, acetate, and methanol as liquid products. In the gas phase, CH 4 was the sole product from CO 2 conversion, with a Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 40.8% at zero voltage bias, and hydrogen evolution accounted for only 0.5% FE. Overall, our PFC device demonstrates the capability to spontaneously generate renewable electric power and green fuels at ambient pressure and temperature, using solar energy as the only driving force.

Source: ACS Applied Energy Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.5c03695

Authors: Luiz Eduardo Gomes, Bárbara A.C. Sá, Márcio C. Pereira, Luiz Felipe Plaça, Maximiliano J. M. Zapata, Mohammed A. M. Bajiri, Niqab Khan, Glaucia B. Alcantara, André Luis de Jesus Pereira, Renato V. Gonçalves, Cauê A. Martins, Heberton Wender

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Institute of Physics, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: Research Centre for Gas Innovation, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais, Universidade de São Paulo, Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis, Shell Brasil, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul

OpenAlex ID: W7127162477