Researchers at Kyungpook National University and Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology have developed a new solar hydrogen production technology using artificial photosynthesis. The team successfully created a sustainable system that converts sunlight into chemical energy, producing valuable resources like hydrogen.
The researchers used nanomaterials to develop a supramolecular fluorophore nanocomposite fabrication technology, which enabled the control of self-assembly and optical properties of fluorescent dyes. This innovation led to the creation of a solar-based biohydrogen production system using bacteria with hydrogenase enzymes.
By mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis, where chlorophyll absorbs light energy and transfers electrons, the team developed a supramolecular photocatalyst that can transfer electrons similar to chlorophyll in nature. The new technology is 5.6 times more efficient than previous studies using the same phosphor.
The researchers combined their newly developed dye with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a bacterium capable of transferring electrons, to create a bio-composite system that converts ascorbic acid into hydrogen using sunlight. The system operated stably for a long period and demonstrated its ability to produce hydrogen continuously.
This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of sustainable energy solutions. As Professor Chiyoung Park said, “This study marks an important achievement that reveals the specific mechanisms of organic dyes and artificial photosynthesis.” The researchers plan to conduct follow-up research on new supramolecular chemistry-based systems by combining functional microorganisms and new materials.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-artificial-photosynthesis-nature-solar-hydrogen.html