A simple general equation for photosynthesis follows: 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + photons → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O (carbon dioxide + water + light energy). We know well that this is the way our environment is recycled through plants. Due to technology, so much of CO2 is available and plants are not enough. A thought process must have gone to commercially make this reaction feasible which may or may not use sunlight and green plants as the only input. One may avoid either or both and use alternates. I wish to know level of progress and possibilities on this. This if possible is also an answer for green fuel i.e. Hydrogen finally.
This is artificial photosynthesis and if successful on large scale can help modify our structures if not for energy production that at least to keep environment green where plantation is not possible but coating may.
I think the problem is that its very complicated (and not fully understood) process. It involves many different enzymes and special cell compartments. So I think it is hard to "copy" the whole process.
As far as I know there is some efforts to use the light harvesting molecules from plants to "collect" the energy from light in things like solar cells.
There is also some efforts to use things like cyanobacteria or algae to do the job since they are easy to maintain and do it very efficiently.
YOU can work on this reaction but this reaction require pigment which convert light energy to chemical one and this reaction proceeds further for glucose
R. Schirhagl
I think it is generally the leaves of plants that are responsible for this reaction and they have huge conversion efficiency. You mention algae has been used. The reaction seems simple - but it is a bit puzzling that it does not proceed in a lab under some equivalent conditions.
We must try this reaction artificially at lab. scale then can claim as an artificial photosynthesis. Otherwise at glance it looks like the formation of carbonic acid. It is a complex reaction not as simple as it is.
I would be happy to know if some one has analyzed a leaf as far as its chemical elemental analysis goes in the absence and presence of sunlight. Do some elements appear like Na or K when sunlight is present? Once I know will share my speculations.
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