ABSTRACT
An alternative route for energy generation and conversion is urgently required that may lead the world towards a sustainable future and a healthy atmosphere. Currently, our earth is suffering from the continuous and mass use of fossil fuels. Here in this context, we discuss alternate ways to generate energy that are capable of replacing conventional energy sources – fossil fuels – and of converting the environmentally detrimental gas present in the atmosphere – carbon dioxide (CO2) – into some chemicals and hydrocarbons that can be used commercially. Electrocatalysis, photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis are three techniques that fulfil our requirements in energy generation and conversion systems. Carbon as a catalyst in all three techniques is the best choice because it is earth abundant, renewable, environmentally friendly and can be used at low cost.
