The formula for photosynthesis is as follows:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O
C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy
Glucose + Oxygen
Using this formula, scientists have to construct an artificial tree that somehow captures CO
2 that is released from cellular respiration or the burning of fossil fuels and convert it into some form of usable energy. In fact, some scientists have already proposed carbon sequestration devices that catch CO
2 from the air in a filter and holds it in storage.
Photosystem II is the first link in the chain of photosynthesis. It captures photons and uses the energy to extract electrons from water molecules. These electrons are used in several ways. First, when the electrons are removed, the water molecule is broken into oxygen gas, which bubbles away, and hydrogen ions, which are used to power ATP synthesis. Perhaps these hydrogen ions could be captured, stored, and used as a form of energy. By using a system that mimics this step in photosynthesis, technically we wouldn't need any form of energy input (such as electricity) other than the energy the sun emits.
For over 30 years many unsuccessful attempts have been made to create a solar cell based on the photosynthesis principle, such as covering titanium dioxide with a layer of chlorophyll - but this only has an efficiency of about 0.01 per cent. Since this initial research, a number of significant improvements have been made. One form of ‘artificial photosynthesis’ is based on the concept of a dye, similar in performance to chlorophyll, which can absorb light and generate electrons. These electrons enter the ‘conduction band’ of a high-surface-area semi-conductor film like titanium dioxide (‘titania’ - a fine white powder), and move through an external circuit, converting light into ‘green’ power.
Using this information, an artificial chemical that behaves like chlorophyll can be used as the first step to harvesting energy from the sun. This allows for the storage of this energy in batteries or other such energy stores.
http://www.gorod.lv/news/35850-the_australian_scientists_develop_an_artificial_chlorophyll
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