Proton transport in graphene may lead to renewable energy production
Researchers at The University of Manchester have found a new and exciting physical effect in graphene membranes that could be used in devices to artificially mimic photosynthesis.
The new findings demonstrated an increase in the rate at which the material conducts protons when it is simply illuminated with sunlight. The 'photo-proton' effect, as it has been named, could be utilized to design devices able to directly harvest solar energy to produce hydrogen gas, a promising green fuel. It might also be of interest for other applications, such as light-induced water splitting, photo-catalysis and for making new types of highly efficient photodetectors.