Building on earlier advances, the scientists successfully triggered an organic oxidation reaction in the photoanode chamber while producing C2 molecules in the photocathode chamber. This achievement resulted in a realistic artificial-leaf architecture, condensed into a device about the size of a postage stamp, that converts CO₂ into C2 molecules using only sunlight.
The team said that the artificial leaf’s ability to produce C2 chemicals may soon lead to precursory ingredients for industries that manufacture essential products, from plastic polymers to fuels for heavy transport like airplanes, which remain difficult to electrify. Yang and his team hope to improve the system’s efficiency and expand the device’s size, moving closer to scaling the technology for practical use.