Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis01:34

The Z-Scheme of Electron Transport in Photosynthesis

13.2K
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...
13.2K
Oxygenic Photosynthesis01:26

Oxygenic Photosynthesis

705
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...
705
Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry01:26

Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Stereochemistry

2.2K
The absorption of UV–visible light by conjugated systems causes the promotion of an electron from the ground state to the excited state. Consequently, photochemical electrocyclic reactions proceed via the excited-state HOMO rather than the ground-state HOMO. Since the ground- and excited-state HOMOs have different symmetries, the stereochemical outcome of electrocyclic reactions depends on the mode of activation; i.e., thermal or photochemical.
Selection Rules: Photochemical Activation
2.2K
Photosystem II01:22

Photosystem II

78.4K
The multi-protein complex photosystem II (PS II) harvests photons and transfers their energy through its bound pigments to its reaction center, and ultimately to photosystem I (PSI) through the electron transport chain. The pigments responsible for caputirng the light energy in photosystems include chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids.
The pigment molecules are arranged across  two photosystem domains — the antenna complex and the reaction center. The main aim of the pigment...
78.4K
Electrolysis03:00

Electrolysis

30.2K
In a galvanic cell, the electrical work is done by a redox system on its surroundings as electrons produced by the spontaneous redox reactions are transferred through an external circuit. Alternatively, an external circuit does work on a redox system by imposing a voltage sufficient to drive an otherwise nonspontaneous reaction in a process known as electrolysis. For instance, recharging a battery involves the use of an external power source to drive the spontaneous (discharge) cell reaction in...
30.2K
Photoelectric Effect02:26

Photoelectric Effect

38.9K
When light of a particular wavelength strikes a metal surface, electrons are emitted. This is called the photoelectric effect. The minimum frequency of light that can cause such emission of electrons is called the threshold frequency, which is specific to the metal. Light with a frequency lower than the threshold frequency, even if it is of high intensity, cannot initiate the emission of electrons. However, when the frequency is higher than the threshold value, the number of electrons ejected...
38.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Interfacial Electric Fields Drive Fast Hydroxyl Radical Production in Black-Carbon-Bearing Microdroplets.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

The Effects of Long-Term High-Temperature Aging on the Microstructural Evolution and Impact Fracture Behavior of Inconel 625 Superalloy.

Materials (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

The microbiota-gut-brain axis perspective: mechanisms and intervention strategies for the comorbidity of chronic constipation and depression.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026
Same author

Microdroplet-Assisted Sulfate Formation Incorporating Versatile Oxygen Sources.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

Ambient ammonia synthesis from air via tandem water microdroplets-driven oxidation and pulsed photoelectrochemical reduction.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Exogenous CD55 Expression on Membrane-Wrapped Nanoparticles Unexpectedly Increases Spleen Tropism and Immune Cell Uptake <i>In Vivo</i>.

ACS nano medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
10:21

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Published on: October 5, 2019

8.9K

Strong Electric Fields on Water Microdroplets Enable Near-Unity Selectivity in H2O2 Photosynthesis.

Kejian Li1, Wenbo You1, Yucheng Zhu1

  • 1Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, Peoples' Republic of China.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|September 24, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Artificial photosynthesis can now selectively produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using solar energy. Strong electric fields on water microdroplets direct electrons to H2O2 synthesis, suppressing hydrogen evolution and boosting efficiency.

More Related Videos

Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods
05:41

Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods

Published on: February 11, 2016

10.0K
Preparation and Use of Photocatalytically Active Segmented Ag|ZnO and Coaxial TiO2-Ag Nanowires Made by Templated Electrodeposition
12:47

Preparation and Use of Photocatalytically Active Segmented Ag|ZnO and Coaxial TiO2-Ag Nanowires Made by Templated Electrodeposition

Published on: May 2, 2014

22.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
10:21

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions

Published on: October 5, 2019

8.9K
Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods
05:41

Photochemical Oxidative Growth of Iridium Oxide Nanoparticles on CdSe@CdS Nanorods

Published on: February 11, 2016

10.0K
Preparation and Use of Photocatalytically Active Segmented Ag|ZnO and Coaxial TiO2-Ag Nanowires Made by Templated Electrodeposition
12:47

Preparation and Use of Photocatalytically Active Segmented Ag|ZnO and Coaxial TiO2-Ag Nanowires Made by Templated Electrodeposition

Published on: May 2, 2014

22.1K

Area of Science:

  • Artificial photosynthesis
  • Photocatalysis
  • Green chemistry

Background:

  • Selective solar energy conversion to chemical bonds is a major challenge.
  • Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production is a sustainable alternative to the anthraquinone process.
  • Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) competes with H2O2 synthesis, limiting efficiency and selectivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of interfacial electric fields in controlling selectivity in photocatalytic oxygen reduction.
  • To enhance H2O2 production efficiency and selectivity using water microdroplets.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which electric fields control competing reactions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts in water microdroplets.
  • Employed spatially resolved spectroscopy for characterization.
  • Performed theoretical calculations to understand reaction mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Strong electric fields on water microdroplet surfaces selectively directed electrons to H2O2 synthesis.
  • Hydrogen evolution reaction was completely suppressed.
  • Achieved near-unity selectivity for H2O2 production with rates two orders of magnitude higher than bulk reactions.

Conclusions:

  • Interfacial electric fields on water microdroplets act as effective selectivity switches for artificial photosynthesis.
  • This mechanism enhances charge carrier separation, lowers energy barriers for 2e-ORR, and increases kinetic barriers for HER.
  • Offers a novel, energy-efficient strategy for selective H2O2 production and insights into selectivity control in solar-to-chemical transformations.