Scientists are turning sunlight into energy using principles of photosynthesis

• An Indian-origin scientist and his team have found a way to convert sunlight into fuel.
• Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, hydrogen can then be used as fuel.
• This is first low-cost and scalable method of creating zero-emission fuel as per the University of Exeter.

In the face of an energy crisis that affects the world over, Dr. Govinder Singh Pawar from the University of Exeter has found a way to turn sunlight into energy, more specifically fuel. Pawar and his team in the UK have developed a method by which water can be split into into its base elements - hydrogen and oxygen - using sunlight as the catalyst.

So, wait, are they just talking about boiling water? As hilarious as that may sound, it isn’t the case. Boiling water essentially transforms water from its liquid state to vapour. The process, called Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting actually emulates the process of photosynthesis using man-made materials instead. It has long been considered the key to unlocking an energy sustainable future.

Basically, once water’s been split into its separate elements, hydrogen can then be used as fuel. The element is commonly referred to as the ‘zero-emission’ fuel since its only by-product is water.

Despite hydrogen being environment friendly, as well as available in great abundance on Earth, it’s applications in energy have been limited by its form-factor. The seemingly obvious source of renewable energy is usually locked away in water, hydrocarbons or other organic matter.

Why it’s a big deal

Till now, graphene was considered to be the more promising material to use for water splitting.

There have also been reports of researchers at the University of Cambridge developing an electricity based method to achieve the same goal. Using electrolysis, they’re running electricity through water to separate hydrogen and oxygen. But since most of the high performing catalysts are metastable, the team is still working towards understanding the cause and effect relationship behind structural and composition changes.

In comparison, Pawar’s team is using electrolysis as well, except that its photoelectrolysis. Their research is exceptional on the basis that his team has fabricated a semiconductor photoelectrode using an inexpensive and scalable spray pyrolysis method. That basically means they’ve figured out how to handle decomposition brought on by high temperatures.

Their ‘revolutionary’ photo-electrode is made from lanthanum(La), iron(Fe) and oxygen nanoparticles.

Having overcome the basic challenge of finding a stable and low-cost semiconductor, their research puts forward a method to convert sunlight into a storable energy source which had, thus far, proven to be elusive.