February 17, 2025 – An international research team has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of energy conversion, successfully developing an innovative “artificial leaf” device. This device mimics the photosynthesis process of plants, cleverly utilizing solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into clean fuels and chemicals.
The research, a collaborative effort between prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge in the UK and the University of California, Berkeley in the US, has led to the creation of this remarkable device. Building on the foundation of highly efficient perovskite materials for solar energy utilization, the team has coated the surface of the “artificial leaf” with a unique layer of copper nanoflower catalyst. This innovative design has significantly enhanced the device’s performance.
Notably, the copper nanoflower catalyst, with its petal-like three-dimensional structure, exhibits exceptional catalytic properties. Unlike traditional metal catalysts that can only convert carbon dioxide into single-carbon molecules, this new catalyst can transform carbon dioxide into complex hydrocarbons containing two carbon atoms, such as ethane and ethylene. These compounds are crucial raw materials for the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and plastics, holding immense significance for industrial applications.
According to industry insights from AsiaMB, almost all hydrocarbons currently available on the market are derived from fossil fuels. However, the new method developed by the research team not only efficiently utilizes raw materials like carbon dioxide, water, and glycerol to produce clean chemicals and fuels but also ensures zero additional carbon emissions during the production process, contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development.
This groundbreaking research has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Catalysis, garnering widespread attention from the international academic community. It is believed that in the near future, this novel “artificial leaf” device will bring more exciting advancements and breakthroughs to the field of energy conversion.