Copper nanowires show promise in energy conversion

Converting solar energy into storable fuel remains a challenge. One of the ways chemists have tried to capture the power of the sun is through water splitting, in which the atoms of H2O are broken apart so the hydrogen may be collected and used as fuel.

Plants do this through photosynthesis, and for half a century, scientists have tried to recreate that process by tinkering with chemical catalysts jumpstarted by sunlight.

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is one material they’ve commonly tried to use as its transparency allows sunlight to pass through and trigger the water-splitting reactions. ITO also conducts electricity but it is far from being an ideal material.

‘Indium is not very abundant,’ said Ben Wiley, assistant professor of chemistry at Duke University. ‘It is similar in abundance to silver in the earth’s crust.’

Consequently, solar fuel cells using ITO will likely remain expensive and uncompetitive with conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas, he said in a statement.