Bridging photosynthesis and photovoltaics: Biotechnological pathways for sustainable solar energy

Integrating biological systems with artificial optoelectronic materials for efficient solar energy conversion has emerged as a cutting-edge and promising research direction in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Natural photosynthesis, through intricate biological mechanisms, converts solar energy into chemical energy, serving as an inspiration for human innovation; concurrently, photovoltaic technologies utilize semiconductor materials to directly transform solar radiation into electricity. Recent interdisciplinary research efforts have led to the development of bio-abiotic hybrid interfaces, combining the regenerative capabilities of biological systems with the tunable optoelectronic properties of artificial materials, aiming to enhance solar energy conversion efficiency. This review focuses on the latest advancements in artificial photosynthesis, bio-photoelectrochemical systems, and bio-photovoltaic systems, emphasizing their potential to improve solar energy conversion efficiency. We explore the design principles, operational mechanisms, and performance metrics of these hybrid devices, and conduct an in-depth analysis of technical challenges such as interface stability and electron transfer efficiency. Furthermore, we propose future research directions to optimize these systems for practical applications in sustainable energy production. By integrating knowledge from biology, materials science, and energy engineering, we aim to provide new perspectives and strategies for the development of solar energy conversion technologies, advancing toward more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.