Your current location:HOME >world >Scientists develop new "artificial leaf" 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 09:48:10 Source: Internet compilationEdit:world
(Xinhua) 15:42, February 28, 2024SHENYANG, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists, along with their
SHENYANG, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists, along with their international counterparts, have developed a brand-new type of "artificial leaf," a liquid metal-embraced photoactive film. It harnesses solar energy to produce hydrogen through direct water splitting, paving the way for scalable production.
The research team led by Prof. Liu Gang from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently published their research in Nature Communications, an international academic journal.
The film, similar to a natural leaf, converts solar energy directly into a chemical fuel, holding great promise in direct solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion. This development is particularly promising under the context of the carbon-neutral initiative, according to the research team.
To fabricate these robust photoactive films, scientists developed a new particle-implanting technique that embeds semiconductor photo-absorbers in the liquid metal. This method draws inspiration from the fact that photosystems II and I, which drive photosynthesis in leaves and are embedded within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
Under visible light irradiation, its photocatalytic activity for water splitting to produce hydrogen is 2.9 times that of traditional films. Furthermore, it can work continuously for over a hundred hours without attenuation.
"An added benefit of such films is that a wide range of low-melting-point metals and semiconductors can be used, and all materials used can be easily recycled via ultra-sonication in hot water," said Liu. "All in all, this new technique promises a low-cost scalable processing route for solar energy conversion devices and applications."
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University2024-05-21 09:42
Scientists reveal the surest way to stop feeling angry in stressful situations2024-05-21 09:29
Missed the 2024 solar eclipse? Here's when and where you can see the next one2024-05-21 09:27
The black market dealers delivering Elon Musk's Starlink to US adversaries2024-05-21 09:01
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang2024-05-21 08:43
I ate cricket meat mince and it was delicious2024-05-21 08:38
Michigan approves 'extremely toxic' copper mine just 100ft from Lake Superior2024-05-21 07:37
How Los Angeles police are fighting back against organized retail theft2024-05-21 07:35
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says2024-05-21 07:13
Giant screen falls on stage during concert by Hong Kong boy band Mirror, two performers injured2024-05-21 07:13
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 20252024-05-21 09:09
Why cat urine smells so bad: Scientists reveal what causes the unique stench2024-05-21 08:40
Dozens of desperate patients queue 'around the block' before 8am for GP appointment2024-05-21 08:39
Dozens of desperate patients queue 'around the block' before 8am for GP appointment2024-05-21 08:30
Baby Reindeer's real2024-05-21 08:27
Piece of 5,800lb battery pallet tossed from NASA's ISS crashes through Florida home2024-05-21 08:19
Moment police arrest teenager Brian Cohee who hid head of homeless man he murdered in closet2024-05-21 08:12
More than 200 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions under new EPA rule2024-05-21 08:07
Baby Reindeer's real2024-05-21 07:51
Georgia Steel risks an awkward run2024-05-21 07:37