Artificial photosynthesis: Powering a green new deal for sustainable energy

As the global energy crisis deepens and the demand for carbon emission reductions grows more urgent, the rapid development of artificial photosynthesis (AP) emerges as a critical solution. AP offers a sustainable method for producing hydrogen and electrical energy by mimicking natural photosynthetic processes. The field continues to expand, with new advances and research findings emerging each year. This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent breakthroughs in AP, with a particular focus on the development of advanced catalysts designed to optimize solar-driven water-splitting processes. Eight types of catalysts, published in recent studies, are analyzed and compared for their efficiency and potential impact. Additionally, various methods for generating molecular hydrogen, including artificial photosynthesis, are evaluated to highlight their advantages and challenges. Crucially, this review also addresses the need for efficient hydrogen storage systems, a key component in advancing renewable energy technologies. The study concludes by outlining essential directions for future research aimed at enhancing the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of artificial photosynthesis, paving the way for its integration into global energy solutions.