New substance converts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into fuel

Scientists at the University of California at Berkeley have developed a “spongy” nickel-organic photocatalyst – a substance that uses light as energy to carry out a chemical reaction. The material collects carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into carbon monoxide, which can then be used to produce fuel. Details of the study can be found in Science Advances.

“The light-activated material will create a valuable fuel by converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, and will also help fight global warming by reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said study author Haimei Zheng.

The new technology produces almost 100% pure carbon monoxide without any other gases such as hydrogen and methane. “It is very important. Scientists have never been able to completely “get rid” of hydrogen by photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, ”Zheng said.

In an experiment in a chamber filled with carbon dioxide, the researchers determined that after an hour at room temperature, 1 gram of an organic nickel catalyst produced 400 milliliters of carbon monoxide.

According to scientists, the properties of their organic nickel photocatalyst resemble the properties of organometallic frameworks – compounds that are composed of metals and carbon. Organometallic frameworks are very porous and capable of absorbing toxic gases, obtaining water from the driest air and storing hydrogen fuel

. Source: indicator.ru