Scientists have developed artificial leaves which will convert carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere into fuel. This discovery includes scientists of an Indian origin. Told that these artificial leaves will be 10 times more effective than the natural plant. These artificial leaves mimic the process in which plants use water and carbon dioxide to produce carbohydrates by taking energy from the sun.
However, these state-of-the-art artificial leaves only work in the lab because they are using pure pressurized carbon dioxide emanating from the tank. Researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago, USA, have presented a design so that artificial leaves can be made to work in the open environment outside the laboratory. Artificial leaves are more effective than natural leaves to convert the powerful greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into fuel in the atmosphere.
Illinois University Assistant Professor Meines Singh said that so far there are only designs for artificial leaves that use tank pressure carbon dioxide in the lab. Co-author of the study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering told that he needs to take carbon dioxide at very low pressure for his use in the real world.
Suggested New Design
Meenesh Singh and his lab's graduate studded Aditya Prajapati have proposed a new method for the use of artificial leaf in the atmosphere. He told that the artificial leaf should be packed inside a semi-permeable membrane made of ammonium resins and filled with water. As soon as the water comes out of the membrane due to the sun's heat. The leaves will be able to pick carbon dioxide automatically by the atmosphere. The leaf is made by coating with the light absorbent catalyst, which converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide. Which is used as a basis for the construction of different synthetic fuels.
Oxygen also makes leaves
Scientists have said that oxygen is also formed in this process. It can either be collected or left in the surrounding environment. According to the calculation of Meenesh, 1.7 meters long and .2 meters wide 360 leaves will produce half a ton of carbon monoxide in a day which will be used to make synthetic fuels. These leaves will cover the area of 500 square meters. Also in the area of 100 sq m in a day, it will reduce the level of carbon dioxide to 10 percent.