Artificial photosynthesis seeks to replicate the natural process of photosynthesis, which takes sunlight, water and carbon dioxide as the inputs and turns them into carbohydrates and oxygen as the outputs. The goal is to create artificial leaves that can harvest and turn solar energy into chemical fuel in the form of liquid sugars or even hydrogen.
One study has shown that a specially made bionic leaf consisting of a particular bacterium can produce fuel. The process requires two light sensitive electrodes coated with photocatalytic material. One oxidises water molecules to form oxygen gas, protons and electrons and the other combines protons and electrons to generate hydrogen gas. Hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel but currently almost all hydrogen is produced from natural gas, which is another dirty fossil fuel. Artificial photosynthesis could offer a sustainable alternative with zero carbon footprints.
Artificial photosynthesis could therefore help reduce carbon dioxide concentration and alleviate global warming if the required technology is available worldwide. There are still enormous challenges to overcome before we can embrace our carbon-neutral future. Scientists are optimistic about the technology, believing that it will be implemented within the next 10 years.
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