Artificial photosynthesis moves a step closer

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces have devised a catalyst that makes it easier to break apart the carbon and oxygen atoms in carbon dioxide, a key step to creating artificial photosynthesis.

An imitation form of photosynthesis could be exploited in a variety of ways. It could be used as a building block for other forms of energy: plants grow by absorbing CO2 and exuding oxygen. The technology potentially could be used to sequester CO2, a significant contributor to global warming.

Carbon and oxygen atoms enjoy a relatively strong, stable bond in a CO2 molecule, which makes it a difficult substance to split apart. The carbon, however, will bond with nitrogen in the right conditions. The substance created at the MPICI, a porous material made up of carbon and nitrogen rings called graphitic carbon nitride, does the trick, however. It steals a carbon atom and leaves carbon monoxide, which can then be used in further chemical reactions.

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In case you were wondering, there are 80 Max Planck Institutes, but they aren't a chain. Each one is independently operated.