Photosynthesis recreated in the lab

Swiss chemists have taken a step closer to generating energy from sunlight, by reproducing a crucial phase of photosynthesis using artificial molecules. 

Plants are temporarily able to store electric charges after absorbing sunlight through the use of a molecular charge accumulator, allowing them to use this energy to produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

Professor Oliver Wenger, from Basel University and Professor Peter Hamm from Zurich University said: "Our results represent a fundamental and important step on the path to artificial photosynthesis.” The professors stress that there is still a lot of work to be done before the technology is ready for everyday use.

The artificial molecules were excited using a laser, allowing two negative charges to be stored for up to 870 nanoseconds, meaning they could be used for artificial photosynthesis, as this is deemed a long enough period of time. Another first was that the charge accumulation was achieved without the use of sacrificial reagents – chemicals that either donate or scavenge electrons. Sustainable conversion of sunlight into chemically stored energy is unachievable with the use of sacrificial reagents as they require large amounts of energy to react.

The researchers will now look into how the charge accumulation can now be converted into chemical fuel. Artificial photosynthesis is an area of interest for scientists as it is considered a promising part of a future sustainable energy supply.

The study was published in Angewandte Chemie.