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Related Concept Videos

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis01:34

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

The light reactions of photosynthesis assume a linear flow of electrons from water to NADP+. During this process, light energy drives the splitting of water molecules to produce oxygen. However, oxidation of water molecules is a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction and requires a strong oxidizing agent. This is accomplished by the first product of light reactions: oxidized P680 (or P680+), the most powerful oxidizing agent known in biology. The oxidized P680 that acquires an electron from the...
What is Photosynthesis?00:39

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a multipart, biochemical process that occurs in plants as well as in some bacteria. It captures carbon dioxide and solar energy to produce glucose. Glucose stores chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. The overall biochemical formula of photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere and is largely responsible for maintaining the Earth’s atmospheric oxygen content.
What is Photosynthesis?01:00

What is Photosynthesis?

All living organisms on Earth are directly or indirectly dependent on photosynthesis. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy that every organism can use to power its metabolism. Photosynthesis is also the source of oxygen required by many living organisms.
Types of Organisms Based on their Modes of Nutrition
Broadly, there are two main categories of organisms based on their modes of nutrition — autotrophs and heterotrophs. An...
Oxygenic Photosynthesis01:26

Oxygenic Photosynthesis

Oxygenic photosynthesis is a fundamental process in which light energy is harnessed to drive the oxidation of water, leading to the production of molecular oxygen (O₂), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). This process is essential for sustaining aerobic life on Earth and is primarily carried out by cyanobacteria, algae, and plants. The core of oxygenic photosynthesis lies in the thylakoid membranes, where chlorophyll pigments facilitate light...
Biofuels01:25

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
Origin of Photosynthesis01:26

Origin of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis represents a fundamental biological process that transformed Earth's atmosphere and paved the way for complex life. Emerging roughly 3.4–3.8 billion years ago, the earliest photosynthetic organisms harnessed light energy to produce organic compounds. These anoxygenic phototrophs used electron donors like hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), rather than water, and did not release molecular oxygen (O₂) as a byproduct. Various groups, including green sulfur and purple...

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Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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The S<sub>1</sub> to S<sub>2</sub> and S<sub>2</sub> to S<sub>3</sub> state transitions in plant photosystem II: relevance to the functional and structural heterogeneity of the water oxidizing complex.

Photosynthesis research·2024
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Far-red photosynthesis: Two charge separation pathways exist in plant Photosystem II reaction center.

Biochimica et biophysica acta. Bioenergetics·2023
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Molecular basis for turnover inefficiencies (misses) during water oxidation in photosystem II.

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Luminescence and reactivity of a charge-transfer excited iron complex with nanosecond lifetime.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2018
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Kα X-ray Emission Spectroscopy on the Photosynthetic Oxygen-Evolving Complex Supports Manganese Oxidation and Water Binding in the S<sub>3</sub> State.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
10:15

Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts

Published on: November 7, 2025

Artificial photosynthesis for solar fuels.

Stenbjörn Styring1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Angström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 523, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden. Stenbjorn.Styring@fotomol.uu.se

Faraday Discussions
|April 5, 2012
PubMed
Summary

The world requires sustainable solar fuels derived from abundant resources. Artificial photosynthesis research explores efficient strategies to produce these renewable fuels, moving beyond electricity alone.

Area of Science:

  • Artificial photosynthesis research
  • Renewable energy technologies
  • Solar fuel development

Background:

  • Growing global demand for environmentally friendly fuels to replace fossil fuels.
  • Need for energy sources derived from cheap, abundant, and universally available resources.
  • Limitations of relying solely on electricity as a renewable energy solution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the necessity of solar fuels as a sustainable energy alternative.
  • To provide an overview of various scientific visions and research strategies in artificial photosynthesis.
  • To discuss conceptual aspects of artificial photosynthesis research for solar fuel production.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature and research trends in artificial photosynthesis.

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Experimental Methods for Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production in Microgravity Environment

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Solar-Driven Electrochemical Green Fuel Production from CO2 and Water Using Ti3C2Tx MXene-Supported CuZn and NiCo Catalysts
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  • Overview of different approaches and visions for solar fuel generation.
  • Discussion of conceptual frameworks guiding artificial photosynthesis research.

    • Main Results:

    • Identification of solar energy as a primary renewable source for fuel production.
    • Broad survey of diverse scientific strategies within the rapidly expanding field of artificial photosynthesis.
    • Exploration of key research directions and conceptual underpinnings for developing solar fuels.

    Conclusions:

    • Artificial photosynthesis is a critical research area for meeting future energy demands.
    • Solar fuels offer a promising pathway towards sustainable energy, complementing other renewable sources.
    • Continued research and strategic development are essential for advancing artificial photosynthesis technologies.