A new efficient technology has been developed for converting carbon dioxide into fuel under the influence of light

For many years, chemical scientists have been searching for a catalyst that facilitates the reaction of converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into methane, which is itself one of the main types of fuel and a raw material for the production of other types of fuel. And recently, scientists from Duke University (North Carolina, USA) found another highly efficient catalyst, tiny nanoparticles made from rhodium, which promote the chemical transformation mentioned above when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Unfortunately, rhodium is one of the rarest chemical elements on Earth. However, it plays a rather important role in our daily life, it is widely used in various measuring techniques and acts as catalysts for reactions used in the production of medicines, detergents and other household chemicals. Rhodium is also used in catalytic converters that make car exhaust fumes less harmful to the environment.

At first, scientists tried to use heat to convert carbon dioxide into methane. When the rhodium nanoparticles were heated to a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius, chemical reactions began to take place that actually produce methane. However, the same amount of carbon monoxide was produced. But after the nanoparticles were illuminated by the light of a powerful ultraviolet lamp, the methane output increased to 100 percent, and the carbon monoxide output dropped to zero, respectively.

“Our discovery and further study of the observed phenomena can advance our understanding of the intricacies of catalytic processes far ahead,” says Jie Liu, professor of chemistry. product rather than high temperature reactions. “

Now scientists are working to find a way to get chemical reactions to take place when exposed to natural sunlight. And if this event is successful, humanity may have another type of alternative energy.

Source: DailyTechInfo