Artificial Leaf Can Self-Heal Damage: Innovation Could Provide Energy to Developing Countries

The artificial "leaf" that researchers created to produce energy has a new ability that could help developing countries use it more easily--it can self-heal. The device holds the potential to providing power to areas that lack access to traditional electric production.

The leaf itself is actually a catalyst-coasted wafer of silicon that has the same abilities that an actual plant possesses; it can create energy from sunlight and water. Once the wafer is dropped into a jar of water and exposed to light, catalysts in the device break the water down into hydrogen and oxygen. This gas can then be collected and used to produce electricity in fuel cells.

Now, researchers have found that some of the catalysts that they've developed for use in the device actually heal themselves. Essentially, they've become living catalysts, and could potentially make the artificial leaf easier to introduce in developing countries and remote areas.

Earlier versions of the artificial leaf required pure water since bacteria eventually formed biofilms on the leaf's surface. This caused the leaf to shut down production. Needless to say, it's difficult to find pure water in some areas, which means this latest innovation is crucial for bringing it to developing countries. In addition, the leaf itself uses relatively inexpensive materials in its design. This makes it easier to mass produce and then distribute. 

"Self-healing enables the artificial leaf to run on the impure, bacteria-contaminated water found in nature," said Daniel G. Nocera, leader of the research team, in a press release. "We figured out a way to tweak the conditions so that part of the catalyst falls apart, denying the bacteria the smooth surface to form a biofilm. Then the catalyst can heal and re-assemble."

That said, there are some issues with the device. It does require water, which means that water-poor areas might not be able to utilize the leaf. However, the artificial leaf could provide an important resource to some areas. It's less costly than solar panels, and can be used even at night.

Currently, the team is looking to integrate the device with technology for converting hydrogen into a liquid fuel. This could run traditional portable electric generators, or even cars.

The findings were announced during the 245^th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society.