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A pair of scientists have uncovered the properties of a new metal tellurate material using the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan.

Currently, the metal oxides used in solar cells, batteries, and hydrogen production have issues with poor conductivity. Dr. Harishchandra Singh from the University of Oulu in Finland says he has discovered a new, highly conductive, metal tellurate material.

“Because of the highest electronic conductivity of tellurium, this metal tellurate can provide of the best solutions to mitigate the conductivity issue in transition metal oxides,” he explains.

Singh says he originally discovered the material back in 2014, but there was nothing in the literature about its properties. He set the project aside until now, as it was not his primary focus at the time.

He now knows that it is an intrinsic semi-conductor which can respond with light. He says this material could replace the use of existing transition metal oxides and assist in the efficient production of renewable energy.

“Because of the similarity of the band gap with other existing materials like cadmium sulfide, they can replace most of the existing materials.”

Moving forward, Singh hopes to focus on how the material can be used in the process of splitting water to produce hydrogen.

“We are using solar light and water to produce hydrogen by using (a) water splitting concept. This is what I’m focusing (on) at this moment with this material.”