Scientists reduce CO2 using a new Panchromatic Osmium Complex Photosensitizer

In Japan, researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new version of the osmium complex which can now absorb full wavelength range of visible light and will act as a panchromatic redox photosensitizer for CO2 reduction. The team combined this complex with a ruthenium (II) catalyst and successfully reduced CO2 into formic acid.

Finding solutions for the current climate and energy crisis has become a common goal across the globe. And why look far when we have the perfect solution right around us? Taking a page out of nature’s book, scientists have been trying to recreate the process of photosynthesis to combat climate change. Beyond helping plants prepare their food, photosynthesis also makes them one of the major carbon sinks that trap carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to other forms. This makes artificial photosynthesis a lucrative method for not just hydrogen evolution and water oxidation but also CO2 reduction.

This study can be expanded by using the panchromatic Os photosensitizer to carry out other various useful photochemical reactions such as H2 evolution from water and organic photoredox reactions.