Yale University scientists have developed a new process that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial emissions into renewable methanol, a widely used liquid fuel
This new approach could have a massive impact on the efforts to migrate climate change by recirculating harmful CO2 into usable energy.
From CO2 to methanol
In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, Yale chemist Hailiang Wang and his research team describe a new, scalable method for producing methanol by using CO2 as a feedstock.
Methanol, commonly used in internal combustion engines, has been identified as an ideal renewable fuel for various industrial processes. If successful, this method could reduce carbon footprints and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The process of converting CO2 into methanol involves two chemical reactions.
- First, CO2 is converted into carbon monoxide (CO) using a catalyst.
- Then, the CO undergoes another catalytic reaction to form methanol. This conversion method is essential for reducing CO2 emissions from industrial activities, a major contributor to climate change.
Previous methods
Before this research, the most effective method for converting CO2 to methanol was developed in Wang’s lab.
It used a single catalyst made of cobalt tetraaminophthalocyanine molecules supported on carbon nanotubes. While successful in laboratory tests, this method faced challenges when scaled up for industrial use.
The problem stemmed from the mismatch in efficiency between the two steps of the conversion process, converting CO2 to CO and then turning CO into methanol. The catalyst was not ideal for both steps, limiting its effectiveness.
Overcoming challenges with a ‘Two-in-one’ catalyst
To address these issues, Wang’s team has designed a more efficient “two-in-one” catalyst. This new approach uses two separate catalyst sites: one made of nickel tetramethoxyphthalocyanine, which efficiently converts CO2 into CO, and another made of cobalt, which completes the conversion of CO2 into methanol.
The CO formed in the first step migrates to the cobalt site, where the final reaction occurs. This innovative design solves the mismatch problem by optimising each process step and improving the overall efficiency.
The new method is a big step forward in making CO2 conversion more efficient and scalable, offering potential applications across various industries.
Implications for industrial application
The ability to convert CO2 waste into useful fuel could be a key component of the fight against climate change, especially in sectors where reducing emissions has been particularly challenging.
The process could also help meet growing energy demands sustainably by recycling carbon from industrial emissions. By creating a circular economy where CO2 emissions are used to produce energy, this breakthrough can transform how industries approach energy production and carbon capture.
The research team is working with industry partners to develop this technology further. One such partner is Oxylus Energy, a company founded by Conor Rooney, a former PhD student in Wang’s lab.
Oxylus Energy focuses on converting carbon waste into methanol liquid fuel, based on the findings from Wang’s research.
This study is a collaboration between scientists at Yale and researchers from Ohio State University, Oregon State University, and the Southern University of Science and Technology. The research was partly funded by the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture and the National Science Foundation.
