Catalysts facilitate water-splitting: plants

1 of 1 Underside of taro leaf / Avenue / License

Plants get the charge needed for photosynthesis by holding water molecules in place to facilitate proton and electron transfer using catalysts.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Make >
	Generate/convert energy >
	Chemical energy

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries.

> Visit strategy page

[Collapse all sections] Summary

"To replicate one of the important steps in natural photosynthesis, Brookhaven chemists James Muckerman and Dmitry Polyansky have turned to molecular complexes containing metals such as ruthenium that can drive the conversion of water into oxygen, protons, and electrons. These ruthenium catalysts hold water molecules in place to make oxygen bonds while the protons and electrons are transferred among the molecules and the catalyst, providing the charges necessary to continue the photosynthesis process." (ScienceDaily 2007)

About the inspiring organism

Plantae
Plantae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Energy sector

Synthetic solar storage - Solar energy storage

Electrolysis of water - Hydrogen generation

Experts

Chemistry Department
James Muckerman
Brookhaven National Laboratory

References

ScienceDaily. 2007. Artificial Photosynthesis: Inspired By Nature, Scientists Explore Pathways To Clean, Renewable Solar Fuel.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/03/070327144459.htm.

Catalysts facilitate water-splitting: plants

Content tools

Curator of this page

Comments