A new artificial photosynthesis breakthrough uses gold to turn CO2 into liquid fuel

Scientists developed a new way of achieving artificial photosynthesis, producing high-energy hydrocarbons by leveraging electron-rich gold nanoparticles as a catalyst. In photosynthesis, plants convert energy from sunlight into glucose by rearranging molecules of water and carbon dioxide. The new process mimics this natural ability via chemical manipulations that create liquid fuel, without requiring chlorophyll. This could create self-sustaining energy source that might one day power our homes and cars, simply by mimicking what plants do. Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories. Scientists have developed a new way of achieving artificial photosynthesis, producing high-energy hydrocarbons by leveraging electron-rich gold nanoparticles as a catalyst. In photosynthesis , plants convert energy from sunlight into glucose by rearranging molecules of water and carbon dioxide. The new process mimics this natural ability via chemical manipulations that create liquid fuel, without requiring chlorophyll . "The goal here is to produce complex, liquefiable hydrocarbons from excess CO2 and other sustainable resources such as sunlight," says chemist Prashant Jain from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Liquid fuels are ideal because they are easier, safer, and more economical to transport than gas." The benefits of realizing artificial photosynthesis at scale would be massive, giving us a […]

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