In the future, we may drive cars powered by methane or methanol produced using solar energy—an outcome a new study suggests is possible. Researchers have developed a method to capture the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and convert it into sustainable fuel.
One potential way to address the climate crisis is to transform greenhouse gases into useful energy sources. A study published in Nature Communications demonstrates how researchers have created a sustainable so-called “solar fuel.”
Their method converts carbon dioxide into methane gas using radiation from the sun. The researchers believe their approach could prove to be a valuable concept for recycling greenhouse gas emissions.
“Using our method in connection with major industrial plants, we can capture the carbon dioxide that industry releases and make sustainable fuel,”
— Hyunjoon Song, Professor of Nanotechnology at the Korean Institute of Science and Technology and one of the lead researchers
The South Korean team developed a process in which tiny particles of zinc oxide and copper oxide are mixed into carbonated water. When sunlight strikes these particles, the metal oxides act as catalysts, triggering a chemical reaction that breaks down dissolved carbon dioxide. The carbon atoms then bind with hydrogen molecules, producing nearly pure methane—the primary component of natural gas.
“Experiments enabled us to obtain 99% pure methane from carbon dioxide. If we can precisely control the catalyst structure at the nano level, it will greatly boost photocatalytic reaction efficiency and significantly help fundamental research,”
— A representative of the research team, speaking to Business Korea
One of the major challenges in replacing fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas with sustainable alternatives is the need to rebuild existing infrastructure. In this case, however, methane produced through this method would be largely compatible with current energy systems.
Burning renewable methane could allow conventional power plants to generate electricity when intermittent renewable sources—such as wind and solar—are unavailable. Additionally, both metals used in the catalyst process are inexpensive and abundant, which could help keep production costs low.
The research, conducted at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, could contribute to addressing both global warming and long-term energy supply challenges simultaneously.
Reference:
Bae, K.-L., Kim, J., et al. “Colloidal zinc oxide–copper(I) oxide nanocatalysts for selective aqueous photocatalytic carbon dioxide conversion into methane.” Nature Communications 8. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01165-4