Against the backdrop of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals and the global clean energy transition, photoelectrocatalysis has emerged as a highly active research frontier in new energy and environmental science.
For applications ranging from water splitting for hydrogen/oxygen evolution, CO₂ reduction, small molecule electrolysis to pollutant degradation, researchers strive to construct well-defined gas-solid-liquid three-phase interface systems that mimic real reaction conditions, aiming for both high efficiency and long-term stability.
Conventional static reaction systems, however, suffer from inherent limitations: restricted gas-liquid mass transfer, uneven temperature and charge distribution, and inability to sustain prolonged operation at high current densities.
Accordingly, the development of continuous-flow PEC devices with integrated temperature/pressure regulation and fluid circulation capabilities has become a core research trend in recent years. Photoelectrocatalysis is evolving from traditional static batch cells toward controllable, continuous-flow, and engineering-scale platforms.
A study published in Nature Catalysis [1] designed a membrane-separated continuous-flow photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactor that enabled paired reactions of CO₂ reduction and glycerol oxidation. Under 10-sun concentrated illumination, the photocurrent density exceeded 110 mA·cm⁻², and the system maintained 80% of its initial activity after 3 hours of stable operation under cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) conditions. The membrane separation design effectively isolated anodic and cathodic reactions and suppressed side reactions, thus preserving system stability at high current densities.
A gas-permeable photoelectrode continuous-flow PEC reactor reported in Advanced Science [2] allowed simultaneous precise regulation of CO₂ gas flow rate and electrolyte circulation rate. The study demonstrated that increasing electrolyte flow rate thins the interfacial diffusion layer, thereby significantly enhancing CO production yield and Faradaic efficiency.
Collectively, these two landmark studies confirm that a continuous-flow architecture, precise multi-parameter control, and quantifiable fluid dynamics are the fundamental prerequisites for high-performance photoelectrocatalytic reactions.
To address these universal challenges, PerfectLight Technology is proud to introduce the PLR PECTS-L2200 Continuous-Flow Photoelectrocatalytic Test System.
The system features a fully modular design, with gas circuits, liquid circuits, electrolytic cells, light sources, and detection units all independently configurable and upgradable. It supports everything from single-electrode performance characterization to membrane-separated dual-chamber systems, and from atmospheric pressure to medium-pressure flow reactions—all on a single platform. This flexible architecture adapts seamlessly to diverse experimental conditions, converting instrumental variables into precisely controllable experimental parameters. By integrating system control, gas/liquid fluid management, parameter regulation, and automatic data acquisition, it enables researchers to replicate top-tier journal-level continuous-flow PEC experimental conditions in their own laboratories.
The PLR PECTS-L2200 is equipped with dedicated host computer software that enables real-time control, monitoring, and recording of all critical parameters: voltage, current, temperature, pressure, and gas/liquid flow rates. It automatically generates kinetic data curves and calculates key performance metrics including Faradaic efficiency, energy consumption, and power density.
Researchers can preset multi-stage experimental workflows via the sequential programming function, enabling unattended continuous testing and steady-state maintenance experiments. This intelligent control not only significantly improves experimental efficiency but also guarantees full data traceability and experimental consistency.
From Nature Catalysis to Advanced Science, continuous-flow PEC systems have become the de facto standard for modern photoelectrocatalysis research. The PLR PECTS-L2200 Continuous-Flow Photoelectrocatalytic Test System empowers researchers to explore reaction mechanisms and optimize catalytic performance, serving as a reliable partner for cutting-edge photoelectrocatalysis studies.
[1] Balog, Á., Kecsenovity, E., Samu, G.F. et al. Paired photoelectrochemical conversion of CO₂/H₂O and glycerol at high rate. Nat Catal 7, 522–535 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-024-01134-3
[2] H. Jung, A. Jamal, I. Gereige, T. T. Nguyen, J. W. Ager, H.-T. Jung, Continuous Flow Photoelectrochemical Reactor with Gas Permeable Photocathode: Enhanced Photocurrent and Partial Current Density for CO₂ Reduction. Adv. Sci. 2025, 12, 2411348. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202411348
