Researchers find a way to harness the entire spectrum of sunlight

Phys.org  January 21, 2020
Researchers at the Ohio State University have shown that it is possible to collect energy from the entire visible spectrum of sunlight, including low-energy infrared, and transform it quickly and efficiently, into hydrogen. What makes it work is that the system is able to put the molecule into an excited state, where it absorbs the photon and is able to store two electrons to make hydrogen. They figured out a way make a catalyst out of one molecule of the element rhodium which means less energy is lost. The system is nearly 25 times more efficient with low-energy near-infrared light than previous single-molecule systems operative with ultraviolet photons. The system can harness more than 50% more solar energy than current solar cells can. The research leads to a clean alternative to fuel for things like gas-powered vehicles…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE