This coating is also permeable, allowing water to enter and “waste” gases to escape the system. During operation, the leaf’s photoanode (a device that splits water) retained 73% of its activity after 65 hours of continuous operation.
Inspired by nature, the artificial leaf also works exceptionally well underwater, an environment where traditional solar panels and other artificial leaves often struggle.
According to the researchers, their new leaf also demonstrated stable hydrogen and oxygen production through complete water splitting, with products concentrating on each of the electrodes.