A new thin-film coating solves a major problem in the development of artificial photosynthetic systems. It can replicate the natural process of photosynthesis to harness sunlight to generate fuels.

Scientists are looking to plants and trees for another solution - using a man-made leaf that can turn solar energy into fuel in the form of liquid sugars or carbohydrates.

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In nature, plants use energy from the Sun and convert it into chemical energy to be used later. Scientists at Caltech think they've discovered a missing link in the development of an artificial version of that process.

They've developed an electrically conductive film that can help pave the way for devices capable of harnessing sunlight to split water into hydrogen fuel.

When applied to semiconducting materials such as silicon, the nickel oxide film prevents rust buildup and facilitates an important chemical process in the solar-driven production of fuels such as methane or hydrogen.

"We have developed a new type of protective coating that enables a key process in the solar-driven production of fuels to be performed with record efficiency, stability, and effectiveness, and in a system that is intrinsically safe and does not produce explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen," said Nate Lewis, the George Argyros Professor and professor of chemistry at Caltech and a coauthor of a new study.

Artificial photosynthesis requires two light-sensitive electrodes: one oxidizes water molecules to form oxygen gas, protons and electrons while the other electrode combines protons and electrons to generate hydrogen gas.

A barrier must separate the two electrodes so the gas can enter a pipeline without exploding.

The team discovered that a nickel oxide film that effectively separates the electrodes is the key. Lewis said the discovery shows artificial photosynthesis can work, but more research needs to be done to perfect the technology, which is likely to mature over the next decade or so.

The development could help lead to safe, efficient artificial photosynthetic systems -- also called solar-fuel generators or "artificial leaves" -- that replicate the natural process of photosynthesis plants use to convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into oxygen and fuel in the form of carbohydrates or sugars.

The new discovery was published in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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