Artificial photosynthesis to overcome oxygen deprivation during respiratory disease crisis: A mini review

Devadass  Jessy Mercy; Harini  RM; Agnishwar  Girigoswami; Koyeli  Girigoswami

Authors

Devadass Jessy Mercy Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education,Kanchipuram, India
Harini RM Medical Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
Agnishwar Girigoswami Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education,Kanchipuram, India
Koyeli Girigoswami Medical Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India

Keywords:

Artificial photosynthesis, carbon, nanotechnology, oxygen production, solar energy

Abstract

Patients with respiratory diseases are primarily treated for their symptoms, with oxygen therapy as support.During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, oxygen concentrators were in high demand, and even afterward, many patients died due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders. This crisis prompted many entrepreneurs to establish oxygen plants, which required a large-scale setup. The articles included in this review were searched using Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science using appropriate keywords. Here,we summarize the need for oxygen and how this need can be met through artificial photosynthesis. Using solar energy in the presence of a catalyst, water can be split into hydrogen and various organic products,resulting in oxygen production. The produced oxygen can be stored in oxygen cylinders and supplied to hospitals for patients in need. The difference between oxygen concentrators and artificial photosynthesis is that in the former, atmospheric oxygen is concentrated, and no new oxygen is produced, whereas in the latter,oxygen is produced from water, which is more useful. This mini review discusses artificial photosynthesis, the process, and the role of nanotechnology in enabling it.

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