Scientists have created tiny copper structures shaped like flowers that could help solve two of humanity’s biggest challenges: climate change and sustainable fuel production. In a study published in Nature Catalysis, researchers from the University of Cambridge and UC Berkeley demonstrated how these microscopic metal blooms can transform carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals using only sunlight.
The innovation combines an artificial leaf made from advanced solar cell materials with copper “nanoflowers” that act as catalysts to convert CO2 into hydrocarbons – the same molecules found in fossil fuels. What makes this approach unique is its ability to produce more complex and valuable molecules than previous methods.
“We wanted to go beyond basic carbon dioxide reduction and produce more complex hydrocarbons, but that requires significantly more energy,” said Dr. Virgil Andrei from Cambridge’s Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, the study’s lead author.
The research team solved this energy challenge by developing a system that processes glycerol – typically considered a waste product – alongside CO2. This combination made the reaction 200 times more efficient than earlier approaches.
“Glycerol is typically considered waste, but here it plays a crucial role in improving the reaction rate,” Andrei explained. “This demonstrates we can apply our platform to a wide range of chemical processes beyond just waste conversion. By carefully designing the catalyst’s surface area, we can influence what products we generate, making the process more selective.”
The artificial leaf uses a high-efficiency solar cell material called perovskite, combined with specially designed copper nanoflowers. Together, they can convert CO2 and water into ethane and ethylene – key building blocks for manufacturing fuels, chemicals, and plastics – without creating additional carbon emissions.
While the current system converts about 10% of the CO2 into useful products, the researchers are optimistic about improving the design. The technology could eventually help create a circular economy where carbon dioxide is continuously recycled into valuable materials and fuels.
“This project is an excellent example of how global research partnerships can lead to impactful scientific advancements,” said Andrei. “By combining expertise from Cambridge and Berkeley, we’ve developed a system that may reshape the way we produce fuels and valuable chemicals sustainably.”
The research was supported by the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability, St John’s College, the US Department of Energy, the European Research Council, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).