Scientists from the Prittskovskaya school developed a method for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into pure fuel and useful chemicals with almost 100% effectiveness. This discovery has the potential to significantly impact the fight against climate change by establishing a closed cycle of pure energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has long emphasized the importance of developing technologies for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to reduce global CO2 emissions by 2050. The new breakthrough by scientists from the University of Chicago represents a crucial step in this direction.
One of the main challenges in CO2 transformation technologies is the production of by-products such as hydrogen and carbonates, which can hinder the efficiency of the process. However, researchers have managed to control water molecules to enhance the effectiveness of electrochemical carbon dioxide recovery (CO2R).
By using organic solvents and acid supplements, scientists were able to manipulate water behavior to supply the necessary protons for creating desired molecules without generating unwanted by-products. This approach has demonstrated nearly 100% efficiency under moderately acidic conditions, utilizing gold or zinc as catalysts.
The use of zinc, a common metal, stands out as a cost-effective option for industrial applications, potentially boosting the global market for carbon capture and storage. The method also opens up possibilities for utilizing solar or wind energy to convert CO2 back into fuel, offering a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing global warming impacts.
Furthermore, the study highlights the potential for incorporating common metals like zinc as catalysts in catalytic processes across various industries. While platinum, silver, and gold are effective catalysts for research purposes, their industrial-scale use can be expensive. Zinc represents a practical alternative for achieving a balance between sustainability and cost-effectiveness in catalysis.