For years, scientists have been searching for a way to trigger artificial photosynthesis, that will turn greenhouse gases into clean air, while producing energy. Researchers, finally made a breakthrough and it could be a game changer for renewables!
Professor Fernando Uribe-Romo and his team triggered a chemical reaction in a synthetic material named metal-organic frameworks (MOF) that breaks down carbon dioxide into organic matter. It’s basically a similar process to the way plants convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into food, but instead of making food, the produces produces solar fuel.
“This work is a breakthrough,” said Uribe-Romo. “Tailoring materials that will absorb a specific color of light is very difficult from the scientific point of view, but from the societal point of view we are contributing to the development of a technology that can help reduce greenhouse gases.”
The chemical reaction transformed the CO2 into two reduced forms of carbon - formate and formamides, that can be used as solar fuel. They hope that someday homeowners can buy rooftop shingles made of the material, which would also serve to clean the air, while producing energy.
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