artificial leaf poster
DESCRIPTION
Poster presentation of artificial leafTRANSCRIPT
A REVIEW ON ARTIFICIAL LEAF BHARGAVA NEMMARU KIREETI V S MARA
Need:The worldwide average energy consumption rate was approx. 16.2 TW in 2007. This figure is going to escalate further with the unprecedented increase in world population and the increase in GDP, especially of developing countries like India and China. The solution is naturally available carbon-neutral energy source: SOLAR ENERGY
Vision:‘Sunlight + Water = Useable Energy’ A centralized energy distribution system is not feasible in developing countries since it is not cost-effective. Solar technologies should be developed with emphasis on low-cost and decentralization of energy systems. This was Prof. D G Nocera’s vision behind his innovation ‘The Artificial Leaf’, which is an attempt to replicate the process of photosynthesis by developing catalysts.
Photosynthesis can be broadly divided into two phases: Light dependent and Light Independent phases. Most of the sunlight is captured during the first phase.
Artificial Leaf:‘Artificial Leaf’ mimics this process by performing the solar-powered electrolysis of water to H2 and O2. The product is constructed by coupling a triple junction, amorphous silicon photovoltaic with a ternary alloy NiMoZn(OEC) and the Cobalt Phosphate Cluster(HEC). H2 thus produced can be stored and can be converted to electricity by fuel cells.
Advantages: •Reduced Cost due to the use of earth abundant materials• Better energy storage because energy is stored in the form of Chemical Energy instead of electrons• Production of a carbon-neutral fuel which can be used either for transportation or converted to electricity References:1. Nocera, D.G. The Artificial Leaf.
Acc. Chem. Res., 2012, 45 (5), pp 767–776
2. Ciamician, G. The Photochemistry of the Future. Science 1912, 36, 385–394.
Mechanism:Photosynthetic sites of the leaf are organized into Photosystem 1(PS1) and Photosystem 2 (PS2). During the first phase, sunlight is used to produce a wireless current which is captured by the Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC) of PS2 to oxidize water to oxygen. The electrons produced are transferred to PS2 where Hydrogen is produced by the Hydrogen Evolving Catalyst(HEC).