Harnessing photosynthesis for materials, devices, and environmental technologies

Abstract

Photosynthetic organisms convert solar light into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. The employment of photosynthetic organisms in novel materials and devices provides them with a solar-powered and sustainable functionality. In general, photosynthesis utilizes light, water, and CO₂ to generate various organic compounds while releasing secondary valuable products such as O₂, extracellular electrons, carbohydrates, or H₂. The light-dependent inputs and outputs are harnessed for environmental purification, biomedical applications, and production of biofuel, electricity, nanomaterials, or bioplastics. In this review, we summarize photosynthesis-assisted materials and engineering applications based on the products and substrates of photosynthetic processes, and we highlight key challenges that remain to be addressed.