Make like a leaf: researchers developing method to convert CO2
Professor Huang has developed small plates that capture and convert CO2 (pictured in his hand). Photo credit: Luisa Low/University of Sydney
Professor from the and the School of 颈蝉听听a carbon capture method that aims to go one step beyond storage, instead converting and recycling carbon dioxide (CO2) into raw materials that can be used to create fuels and chemicals.
鈥淒rawing inspiration from leaves and plants, we have developed an artificial photosynthesis method,鈥� said Professor Huang.
鈥淭o simulate photosynthesis, we have built microplates of carbon layered with carbon quantum dots with tiny pores that absorb CO2听听and water.
鈥淥nce听carbon dioxide听and water are absorbed, a chemical process occurs that combines both compounds听and turns them into听hydrocarbon, an organic compound that can be used for fuels, pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals, clothing, and construction.
鈥淔ollowing our most recent findings, the next phase of our research will focus on large-scale catalyst synthesis and the design of a reactor for large scale conversion,鈥� he said.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and 'breathe' out oxygen. Photo credit: Luisa Low/University of Sydney
While the research has been conducted on a nanoscale, Professor Huang hopes the technology will be used by power stations to capture emissions from burning fossil fuels.
鈥淥ur CO2听absorbent plates may be small, but our goal is to now create large panels, similar to solar panels, that would be used by industry to absorb and convert large volumes of CO2听,鈥� said Professor Huang.
CO2听emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and transport are the main cause of global warming, contributing up to 65 percent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions.
While plants 鈥榖reathe鈥� in CO2听, a process called photosynthesis, deforestation and development has decreased their overall capacity to restore oxygen levels.
As nations attempt to curb emissions and divest from fossil fuels, Dr Huang feels there should also be an increased focus on carbon capture and re-use to minimise the harmful impact of increased atmospheric CO2.
鈥淭he current global commitment to cut carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 is an enormous challenge, and one that will be difficult to achieve given that energy needs are accelerating,鈥� said Professor Huang.
Carbon capture technologies have been around for over 10 years. However, they require carbon to being held in deep underground chambers.
鈥淐arbon conversion could be a financially viable alternative as it would allow for the generation of industrial quantities of materials, such as methanol, which is a useful material for production of fuels and other chemicals,鈥� he concluded.
DISCLOSURE
Professor Jun Huang鈥檚 research is supported by the Australian Research Council (DP180104010, the听Sydney Research Accelerator Prizes (SOAR) and the听University of Sydney Nano Institute Grand Challenge program.
The paper was authored by Dr Haitao Li, Dr Yadan Deng, Dr Youdi Liu, Dr Xin Zeng, Professor Dianne Wiley and Professor Jun Huang.