Using Sunlight to Convert Greenhouse Gas into an Alternative Energy Source
According to researchers at Penn State, Dual catalysts may be the key to efficiently turning carbon dioxide and water vapor into methane and other hydrocarbons suitable for use in the existing hydrocarbon-based energy infrastructure
Burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Rather than contribute to global climate change, producers could convert carbon dioxide to a wide variety of hydrocarbons, but this makes sense to do only when using solar energy.
In a recent issue of Nano Letters, researchers noted that recycling of carbon dioxide into fuel suitable for use in the existing hydrocarbon-based energy infrastructure is an attractive option, however the process is energy intense and useful only if a renewable energy source can be used for the purpose.
“Converting carbon dioxide and water to methane using photocatalysis is an appealing idea, but historically, attempts have had very low conversion rates,” said Craig Grimes, a professor of electrical engineering and member of Penn State’s Materials Research Institute. “To get significant hydrocarbon reaction yields requires an efficient photocatalyst that uses the maximum energy available in sunlight.”
The conversion of water and carbon dioxide to methane is simple, but ineffienct as it requires a high amount of energy, resulting in low conversion rates. In their research, the team used natural sunlight to test their nanotubes in a chamber containing a mix of water vapor and carbon dioxide. By using co-catalysts, the research team was able to increase their yields from 10 parts per million to 163 parts per million hydrocarbons an hour for each square centimeter.
The researchers have filed a provisional patent on this work.
Link: Penn State Live – Sunlight turns carbon dioxide to methane.
