Breakthrough tech converts CO2 into green fuel: Here's how
A team of scientists at Tokyo Metropolitan University, has made a significant breakthrough in CO2 capture and utilization technology. They have designed an innovative electrochemical cell that can efficiently transform a bicarbonate solution, derived from captured CO2, into a formate solution. This formate solution is a potent source of green fuel. The new technology addresses major challenges in reactive carbon capture (RCC), and performs at levels comparable to traditional gas-fed methods, which typically require more energy.
A step toward carbon-neutral future
The researchers emphasized the importance of their work in the broader context of carbon capture and utilization. They stated, "Carbon capture and utilization to convert atmospheric CO2 into useful chemicals and fuels is essential for achieving a carbon-neutral or negative emission future." This statement underscores the potential impact of their research on global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
Overcoming challenges in carbon capture technology
The researchers highlighted key question in carbon capture technology: what to do with captured carbon dioxide. They suggested using electrochemical cells to transform CO2 into formate, a substance that can generate power in fuel cells. However, this method faces significant challenges due to the need for pure CO2. The team proposed reactive carbon capture (RCC) as a potential solution, where CO2 dissolved in alkaline solutions like bicarbonate solutions, can be directly used to create formate ions without needing pure gas.
Innovative design of electrochemical cell
The research team successfully designed an electrochemical cell that can selectively produce formate ions from bicarbonate, while minimizing unwanted reactions. The innovative cell features electrodes made of catalytic material, separated from a polymer electrolyte membrane by a porous membrane made of cellulose ester. In this setup, hydrogen ions are generated at one electrode and move through the electrolyte membrane to the porous layer, where they react with bicarbonate ions to produce CO2 within the pores.
Promising results and future implications
The new cell demonstrated promising results, achieving an 85% faradaic efficiency at high currents, meaning that 85% of the electrons are transformed into formate. This performance surpasses existing designs. The cell also proved stable for more than 30 hours, achieving a nearly complete conversion of bicarbonate to formate. After water removal, the end product is a solid crystalline formate fuel ready for use. These findings suggest this technology could play a crucial role in society's transition toward greener energy sources.
