New Artificial Photosynthetic System to Capture Solar Energy

Researchers from IISER-Thiruvananthapuram and IIT-Indore have jointly developed an artificial light-harvesting system that can efficiently capture sunlight for energy conversion by mimicking photosynthesis, the process by which plants absorb sunlight and produce sugars. Officials claim that researchers from all over the world are working to duplicate the photosynthesis's light-harvesting process in manufactured systems for usage in solar cells or synthetic leaves. The study was released in the esteemed publication "Chemical Science" from the Royal Chemical Society.

In order to effectively capture light and save power, scientists have created a revolutionary artificial light-capturing technology that mimics the process of photosynthesis. This method addresses issues with light transmitters and absorbers as well as difficulties in simulating the intricate process of photosynthesis.

For years, researchers have worked to replicate photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into sugars for use in solar cells or artificial leaves. In the laboratory setting, numerous attempts have been made to duplicate the molecular and atomic structure of plants' light-harvesting mechanisms. 

To do this, they have used vesicles, gels, detergent-like compounds, polymeric structures, and other bio-inspired structures. The most frequent challenge these technologies encounter is the clumping or aggregation of the molecules, which makes it challenging to efficiently catch and conserve the light.

Clusters of silver with a nanometer dimension, which is 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, are used in the new artificial photosynthetic system. These silver nanoclusters exhibit unusual and complex photophysical characteristics. By using substantial ligands to stabilise them, the researchers were able to enclose the complete ensemble inside cyclodextrin, a much bigger molecule. This application marks the first time an atom-precise nanocluster has been used. Due to the existence of opposing charges on the surface and the matching electronic energy distribution, it offers 93% effective energy transfer. The energy that is captured can create currents that have higher yields than the sum of their parts.

The development of new light-harvesting materials that can increase solar cell efficiency and reduce energy loss is now possible thanks to new technology. By utilising renewable energy sources, these technologies will assist nations in achieving net zero carbon emissions. This fundamental investigation into highly-efficient energy transfer systems will provide the basis for designing new light-harvesting materials that can enhance the efficiency of solar cells and reduce energy loss.

The researchers at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER)-Thiruvananthapuram, say that this is the first time they have utilised an atom-precise nanocluster in such an application. The opposite charges on the surfaces and the matched electronic energy distribution result in a 93 per cent energy transfer efficiency with a great antenna effect from the UV-to-visible region of the light spectrum. The researchers also showed that this harvested energy could generate current with much enhanced yields compared to the individual components. This is important given that India aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and to meet 50 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable sources such as solar power by 2030.

Source: PTI