Towards artificial photosynthesis: Promoting microscale photochemistry in science education

Abstract

In order to simulate basic features of the natural cycle of photosynthesis and respiration, a model experiment called Photo-Blue-Bottle PBB has been developed. According to the title of this paper, the experiment will be presented and interpreted in accordance to basic contents from science education. An extended version of the PBB experiment also enables the evolution of hydrogen. This is a key step towards a prospective technological scenario with solar light driven production of “green fuels”. The concept of electronically excited state, the “heart of all photoprocesses” (N. J. Turro), will be completed by further teaching experiments and concepts concerning the up-to-date topic of photoactive molecular switches.