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Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Developing Photosensitizer-Cobaloxime Hybrids for Solar-Driven H2 Production in Aqueous Aerobic Conditions
Published on: October 5, 2019
Shifting sunlight via fluorophores: Solar spectral conversion towards high light conversion efficiency of
Zhipeng Song1, Danping Jiang2, Lei Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of New Materials and Facilities for Rural Renewable Energy, MOA of China, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
Abstract:
Solar spectral conversion using fluorophores offers a promising way to tailor solar light for photo-fermentative hydrogen production (PFHP). This study aimed to improve light conversion efficiency for photo-fermentative hydrogen production from giant reed by precisely matching the absorption peak of photosynthetic bacteria to the solar spectrum. Seven color fluorophores with different emission wavelengths (λem) were manufactured into solar spectral converters to evaluate the effects on cell growth and biohydrogen production. All converters could shift UV to visible light. The converter with λem = 482 nm significantly (p < 0.05) increased the photosynthetic rate (PR) by 91 % during cell growth process, while the converters with λem = 596 nm and λem = 603 nm enhanced hydrogen yield by 37 % and 35 %, respectively. Moreover, the converter with λem = 596 nm enhanced the light conversion efficiency (LCE) by 34 % and the nitrogenase activity by 144 %. This study provides a new sight for further enhanced outdoor biohydrogen production driving by solar energy.
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