Researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland have created a unique molecule inspired by the process of photosynthesis in plants. According to ScienceDaily, this discovery is a key step towards artificial photosynthesis and the production of carbon-neutral fuels.
In nature, photosynthesis allows plants to convert sunlight energy into energy-rich sugar molecules from carbon dioxide. Animals and humans consume these compounds, releasing CO2 back and closing the natural cycle. Scientists are trying to reproduce this mechanism in order to create so-called "solar fuels" - hydrogen, methanol or synthetic gasoline, which, when burned, will emit only the amount of carbon dioxide that was used to produce them. Thus, the fuel will be carbon neutral.
The team of Professor Oliver Wenger described in the journal Nature Chemistry a molecule that is able to simultaneously accumulate two positive and two negative charges. This is a key condition for converting light into chemical energy, because it is the charges that trigger reactions, such as splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The structure of the molecule consists of five parts arranged sequentially. Two segments on one side give off electrons and acquire a positive charge. The other two at the opposite end accept electrons and become negatively charged. The central component absorbs light and initiates the electron transfer process.
To accumulate four charges, the researchers applied a two-step approach. The first flash of light triggers the formation of one positive and one negative charge, which diverge to opposite ends of the molecule. The second flash repeats the reaction, as a result of which the molecule already contains four charges.
The new method allows you to work with much weaker light, which is close in intensity to natural solar radiation. Previously, such experiments required powerful lasers, which made them far from practical applications. In addition, the charges in the molecule remain stable long enough to be used for further chemical reactions. korrespondent.net.
