Organic Photosensitizers for Catalytic Solar Fuel Generation

In recent years, various organic dyes have been used as photosensitizers for the photocatalytic reduction of water and carbon dioxide, which is a sustainable approach for fuel generation under noble-metal free conditions. Recent development of organic chromophores, which are characterized by a populated triplet excited state, have greatly facilitated their applications in solar fuel production. In this review, the photophysical properties of organic dyes are discussed in relation to their applications in photocatalytic reduction of water and carbon dioxide. In particular, common synthetic strategies for enhancing the population of their triplet states, which are important in promoting photoredox reactions, are described. This is followed by a review on recent developments of photocatalytic reduction of water and carbon dioxide involving various organic photosensitizers.