Collecting light with artificial moth eyes

Scientists at EMPA in Zürich and University of Basel have developed a photoelectrochemical cell, recreating a moth’s eye to drastically increase its light collecting efficiency. The cell is made of cheap raw materials – iron and tungsten oxide. Analyses at BESSY II have revealed which chemical processes are useful to facilitate the absorption of light.

Empa researchers Florent Boudoire and Artur Braun have implemented a special microstructure on the photoelectrode surface, which gathers sunlight and does not let it out again. The basis for this innovative structure are tiny particles of tungsten oxide. These yellow microspheres are applied to an electrode and then covered with an extremely thin layer of iron oxide. When light falls on the particles it is internally reflected back and forth, till finally all the light is absorbed. All the entire energy in the beam is now available to use for splitting the water molecules.

In principle the newly conceived microstructure functions like the eye of a moth, explains Florent Boudoire. The eyes of these night active creatures need to collect as much light as possible to see in the dark, and also must reflect as little as possible to avoid detection and being eaten by their enemies. The microstructure of their eyes especially adapted to the appropriate wavelength of light. Empa's photocells take advantage of the same effect.

The swiss team did analyze their samples under the x-ray microscope at BESSY II in order to get detailed information about the absorption of light and the chemical processes which enhance it.

Information of EMPA

Publication in Energy&Environmental Sciences