Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and international collaborators have developed an artificial leaf capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemicals using sunlight.
This breakthrough, published in Nature Catalysis, is part of the Liquid Sunlight Alliance (LiSA), a multi-institutional initiative aimed at creating liquid fuels from solar energy.
The innovative device, combining copper and perovskite, mimics natural photosynthesis.
It harnesses sunlight to produce C2 molecules, essential precursors for products such as plastic polymers and jet fuel.
The research is a significant advancement in solar fuel technology, following decades of efforts to replicate photosynthesis in artificial systems.
The device, about the size of a postage stamp, uses a copper-based electrocatalyst to facilitate the conversion of CO2, a process inspired by natural enzymes in plant leaves.
While previous attempts relied on biological materials, this design integrates copper for improved stability and longevity.
The system demonstrates the potential for scalable solar-powered CO2 conversion, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fuel production.
The LiSA collaboration, led by Caltech in partnership with Berkeley Lab and other research institutions, aims to address global energy challenges.
With this proof-of-concept device, researchers hope to increase efficiency and expand the system’s size to move toward practical applications in industries that require large-scale fuel production.
The project is supported by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science and underscores ongoing efforts to develop renewable energy solutions that combat climate change while supporting critical industries.
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