New technology creates carbon neutral chemicals out of thin air

Technology is surprising us every day with new developments. These advancements are just like a miracle. One can never think of it. But today, the heights the technology has reached are unbelievable. As it is said, "Every day comes with a new opportunity", the same goes for the technological sector. Each day brings up a new opportunity of inventing unbelievable things. 

Keywords: Fossil fuels, carbon-neutral chemicals, CO₂, DFMs, reactant

In a new research published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Nanoscalewas led by the University of Surrey, scientists have developed a new technology that has made it possible to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the surrounding atmosphere. It also provides a way to repurpose it into useful chemicals generally made from fossil fuels. 

Fossil fuels have a limited extent. Also, they are not environment-friendly. Considering, recent situations of the environment, it has become necessary to develop sustainable and environment-friendly methods. This new technology of creating carbon-neutral chemicals is one of them. As the creation of the chemicals doesn't involve any usage of fossil fuels that emit harmful gases.   

 Dr. Melis Duyar, Senior Lecturer of Chemical Engineering at the University of Surrey said, "Capturing CO2 from the surrounding air and directly converting it into useful products is exactly what we need to approach carbon neutrality in the chemicals sector. This could very well be a milestone in the steps needed for the UK to reach its 2050 net-zero goals. We need to get away from our current thinking on how we produce chemicals, as current practices rely on fossil fuels which are not sustainable. With this technology, we can supply chemicals with a much lower carbon footprint and look at replacing fossil fuels with carbon dioxide and renewable hydrogen as the building blocks of other important chemicals".

He continued, "These outcomes are a testament to the research excellence at Surrey, with continuously improving facilities, internal funding schemes, and a collaborative culture".

This technology allows scientists to capture CO₂  and transform it into useful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and synthetic natural gas. This can be done in one circular process.

This technology makes use of patent-pending switchable Dual Function Materials(DFMs). DFMs are referred to as materials composed of a sorbent and a catalytic active component. They offer renewable energy storage. They capture carbon dioxide on their surface and catalyze the conversion of carbon dioxide directly into chemicals. The nature of DFMs is "switchable" and it comes from their ability to produce multiple chemicals which depends on the operating conditions or the composition of the added reactant. Thus, it makes the technology answerable to variations in demand for chemicals. It also makes the availability of renewable hydrogen a reactant.  

Loukia-Pantzechroula Merkouri, a Postgraduate student leading this research at the University of Surrey said, "Not only does this research demonstrate a viable solution to the production of carbon neutral fuels and chemicals, but it also offers an innovative approach to combat the ever-increasing CO2 emissions contributing to global warming".

This study has surely added a new branch in the field of technology. It has discovered a new way of creating chemicals with the help of technology.