R. Ranjitham,
A. Ajitha,
K. Seethalakshmi,
S. Ravichandran,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Deviyakurichi, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Deviyakurichi, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Deviyakurichi, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Deviyakurichi, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
The efficient conversion of solar energy into electrical and chemical energy is a major scientific challenge of the twenty-first century. Natural photoreceptors provide valuable models for addressing this challenge because they have evolved highly efficient mechanisms for capturing and converting light energy. Biological systems such as rhodopsins, bacteriorhodopsins, proteorhodopsins, cryptochromes, phototropins, and phytochromes employ chromophore-driven photoinduced electron and proton transfer processes to initiate a wide range of physiological responses, including vision, phototaxis, circadian regulation, and photosensory signaling. These processes demonstrate exceptional efficiency in light absorption, charge separation, and energy transduction. In parallel, photoelectrochemical (PEC) technologies, including dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), photocatalytic hydrogen generation systems, and semiconductor-based water-splitting devices, have emerged as promising routes for sustainable energy production. The performance of these systems depends on efficient photon harvesting, charge carrier generation, transport, and interfacial electron transfer. Advances in nanotechnology have significantly enhanced these capabilities through the development of nanostructured photoelectrodes with increased surface area, improved light absorption, and optimized charge transport pathways. This review explores the fundamental molecular mechanisms of biological photoreceptors and their relevance to the design of advanced PEC systems. Emphasis is placed on photoinduced charge separation, semiconductor interface dynamics, depletion layer formation, and nanoscale engineering strategies that improve energy conversion efficiency. The integration of biological light-harvesting principles with engineered semiconductor architectures is examined as a pathway toward next-generation solar energy technologies. Furthermore, recent progress in hybrid bio-photoelectrochemical platforms is discussed, highlighting their potential to combine the selectivity and functionality of biological systems with the robustness of inorganic materials. These developments offer promising prospects for sustainable solar fuel production and efficient renewable energy conversion
Keywords: Henna, mehandi, lawsone, natural dye, keratin, organic chemistry, para-phenylenediamine, hair dye, textile dyeing, natural products
[This article belongs to International Journal of Photochemistry and Photochemical Research ]
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International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control
| Volume | 04 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 15/06/2026 | |
| Accepted | 21/07/2026 | |
| Published | 30/07/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 45 Days |