Search Here

Scientists will be able to generate a source of energy that is sustainable and is similar to photosynthesis, with a recently developed artificial material by a researcher  at Florida State University, according to scienceworld.

"In theory, this should be a self-sustaining energy source," said Jose L. Mendoza-Cortes, an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, who created the new technique. "Perhaps in the future, you could put this material on your roof and it could turn rain water into energy with the help of the sun," he added.

Through a process called oxidation, the new material is able to trap sunlight, and then use the energy to break down water into oxygen and hydrogen. Now this is like the photosynthesis of plants.

Mendoza-Cortes' latest discovery can be used to create potential energy sources that are carbon free, even as hydrogen is distributed to various areas and is consumed like fuel. This approach will not threaten the environment, according to Mendoza-Cortes.

"You won't generate carbon dioxide or waste," said Mendoza-Cortes.

He has created material that did not rust from the process of breaking down water, and has trapped energy, even as it was inexpensive.

Mendoza-Cortes created "multilayered material" from another chemical substance---manganese oxide or birnessite. With his team, he started peeling the material, and saw that it was trapping light speedily.

"They referred to the material transitioning from an indirect band gap material to a direct band gap one. Light with photo energy can penetrate indirect band gap materials efficiently, without being absorbed," according to scienceworld.

"This is why the discovery of this direct band gap material is so exciting," said Mendoza-Cortes. "It is cheap, it is efficient and you do not need a large amount to capture enough sunlight to carry out fuel generation."

This study was published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry.