Journal Article
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 116, iss. 20, pp. 9741-9746, 2019
Authors
Anhuai Lu, Yan Li, Hongrui Ding, Xiaoming Xu, Yanzhang Li, Guiping Ren, Jing Liang, Yuwei Liu, Hao Hong, Ning Chen, Shengqi Chu, Feifei Liu, Yan Li, Haoran Wang, Cong Ding, Changqiu Wang, Yong Lai, Juan Liu, Jeffrey Dick, Kaihui Liu, Michael F. Hochella
Abstract
Significance
In solar-terrestrial systems, solar energy input has long been recognized to have a profound impact on Earth. The well-known photosynthetic systems enable sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, no evidence has yet emerged for the existence of a widespread geological light-harvesting system. This study reveals such a “photoelectric device,” where semiconducting Fe- and Mn (oxyhydr)oxide-mineral coatings are found to overlay vast expanses of natural rock/soil surfaces and exhibit highly responsive and stable photon-to-electron conversion. Our discovery may provide insight supporting vital photon-induced redox chemistry on Earth’s surface via widespread Fe- and Mn-mineral coatings.
