Chinese scientists produce 98% oxygen from CO2

Chinese scientists have developed a new method that can produce 98% oxygen directly from carbon dioxide (CO2). This innovative technique could be very useful for generating oxygen in extreme environments. The researchers believe that if this method is powered by renewable energy, it could help achieve carbon neutrality. They say it has many possible applications, including supporting life on Mars, providing oxygen for spacesuits, helping with underwater life support, and improving air quality indoors. Traditionally, plants create oxygen through photosynthesis, which depends on hydrogen. However, replicating this process artificially has been challenging for scientists. The team from Nanjing University and Fudan University found a way to split CO2 into carbon and oxygen without using hydrogen. Instead, they used lithium as the main catalyst in their process.