In order to mimic the natural process of photosynthesis for our benefit--scientists have constructed a unique semiconductor/catalyst to interlace hydrogen fuel from Sunlight.
This outstanding research has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS). The process of photosynthesis occurs as natural leaves produce energy-dense fuels from photons of sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. The only byproducts of this process are oxygen, and energy which are excellent alternatives to fossil fuels--but this research has many challenges. The researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), who also worked at the Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) have made a step towards solving at least one of these challenges.
"We've developed a method by which molecular hydrogen-producing catalysts can be interfaced with a semiconductor that absorbs visible light. Our experimental results indicate that the catalyst and the light-absorber are interfaced structurally as well as functionally." Statement from Gary Moore, a chemist with Berkeley Lab's Physical Biosciences Division and principal investigator for JCAP (reference).
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