Harnessing Solar Energy with Eco-Friendly InP Quantum Dots: A Review

Solar fuels represent a transformative approach to energy sustainability by directly converting sunlight into storable and transportable fuels, offering a clean and renewable solution to global energy demands. Solar-driven photocatalytic (PC) and photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) processes for hydrogen (H2) production and carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction are among the most sustainable and promising methods for converting solar energy into green, pollution-free fuels. This prospective study provides a comprehensive overview of the role of the quantum dots (QDs) in PC- and PEC-based H2 generation and CO2 reduction. QDs, with their tunable optical properties and high surface area to volume ratio, significantly enhance PC and PEC efficiency by improving light absorption and charge separation. The types of QDs under investigation can be subdivided into eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly categories based on their toxicity. This review highlights recent advancements in the development of eco-friendly indium phosphide (InP)-based QDs, focusing on their synthesis, surface modification, and integration into PC and PEC systems, as well as their specific properties that enhance green H2 generation and CO2 reduction efficiency. Additionally, the paper addresses challenges related to photocatalyst stability and performance, emphasizing the potential of QDs in sustainable energy and environmental applications. Finally, it discusses future prospects in eco-friendly QD-based photocatalysis. We hope this review article serves as a timely summary of recent advances and offers insights that may guide future developments in the emerging field.