Dr. Melis Duyar, an expert in carbon capture technology from the University of Surrey, has said that the UK has the potential to become a global leader in technologies that capture carbon dioxide and convert it into useful products like hydrogen. Duyar’s statement follows a recent experiment conducted by Surrey’s research team to understand how their new technology, which uses a switchable dual-function material (DFM), captures and converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into green fuels or useful industrial chemicals.
The study, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, outlines how the Surrey team’s switchable DFM, NiRuNa/CeAl, can capture and convert CO2 in three chemical reactions. The DFM consists of nanoparticles of a bimetallic alloy, combined with a dispersed Na-based adsorbent to create a unique material for capturing and converting CO2 in three chemical reactions.
The DFM can be used in CO2 methanation, where CO2 is converted into methane, combining it with hydrogen (H2) to produce methane and water. It can also be used in reverse water-gas shift, a chemical process that involves the conversion of CO2 and H2 into carbon monoxide (CO) and water (H2O). This reaction can be used to make sustainable “synthesis gas,” which is a mixture of CO and H2 that can be converted to a vast variety of chemicals using techniques that already exist within the chemical industry. Finally, it can be used in dry reforming of methane (DRM), a chemical process that involves the conversion of methane and CO2 into “synthesis gas.”
The team used operando-DRIFTS-MS to observe interactions of molecules with the surface of these unique dual-function materials while CO2 was being captured and while it was further converted to products via these three reactions. The technique allowed the researchers to determine what makes a DFM work, greatly advancing their ability to design high-performance materials.
Dr. Duyar believes that pursuing advanced carbon capture technology is an exceptional opportunity for the UK to emerge as a global front-runner, leveraging the vast potential of green energy products born from this process. She added that the pursuit of carbon capture technology is more than just the right thing to do for our planet; it is essential to reach the goal of net zero by 2050.
The study shows how the new technology can provide versatility in an ever-changing energy landscape. It can be used to capture CO2 and convert it into green fuels and useful industrial chemicals, which can benefit the environment and the economy. The Surrey team’s research has laid the foundation for the development of new materials that can capture and convert CO2 efficiently. By continuing to apply the lessons learned from this study, the team can work with others in the higher education sector and industry to mature this process.
The UK has a significant opportunity to lead in carbon capture technology and emerge as a global front-runner by leveraging the vast potential of green energy products born from this process. The research conducted by the University of Surrey demonstrates the potential of switchable dual-function materials to capture and convert CO2 into useful products. The study provides a foundation for the development of new materials that can capture and convert CO2 more efficiently, contributing to the goal of net zero by 2050.
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