Researchers mimic two natural energy processes with a single catalyst

Nature is quite good at doing certain kinds of chemistry. For example, water is continuously transformed into its constituents, oxygen, protons, and electrons, and back again as a way of storing and using energy by plants and animals. Technologies based on natural chemical pathways could help to meet mankind’s growing energy demands. Specialized enzymes present in plant and animal cells for certain chemical reactions have inspired chemists to try and reproduce natural processes in artificial solar cells and fuel cells.