Part 3/7:
Water, composed of hydrogen and oxygen, is split into these two gases through a process observable in the artificial leaf. The innovation lies not merely in splitting water—an established scientific process—but in the use of new catalysts that drastically reduce costs and simplify manufacturing. Unlike traditional methods that rely on precious metals like platinum, the artificial leaf incorporates more affordable and abundant materials, such as cobalt, phosphorus, nickel, and zinc. This accessibility is key to potential widespread implementation.