Artificial photosynthesis allows us to obtain carbon-neutral fuels from renewable sources like water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. Mimicking the natural process carried out by plants, researchers combine these clean ingredients to produce fuels and value-added products. Because atmospheric CO₂ is the carbon source, artificial photosynthesis leads to sustainable, environmentally neutral energy storage solutions.

 

In our efforts to make artificial photosynthesis viable, ICIQ leads A-LEAF, a European project funded by the European Commission with €8 million to develop a working prototype of an artificial leaf. Within the next four years, researchers across the EU –among them three ICIQ research groups– will work towards this goal. We’re also coordinating a FET Proactive project, LICROX, which will implement a new type of photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) able to directly convert sunlight into chemical energy.