New material converts CO₂ into liquid fuel efficiently

Researchers have made a breakthrough in technology that could help convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air into liquid fuel. They created a new material that combines both organic and inorganic properties. The team focused on using a material called "metalcone" in their work. This material can help create pathways for electrons, which are essential for the conversion process. Gregory Parsons, a professor at North Carolina State University, explained that the main aim was to efficiently change atmospheric CO₂ into methanol, a type of liquid fuel. Metalcones have a challenge when used in water. They can dissolve due to their organic properties, rendering them ineffective. Previous attempts to make them stable involved high temperatures but compromised their electrochemical abilities. The researchers found that a lower "mild" annealing temperature of 250 degrees Celsius could improve both the stability and performance of a specific metalcone called tincone. Hyuenwoo Yang, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author of the study, noted that this new approach significantly enhances the potential of tincone for use in converting CO₂ into fuel. The next steps involve testing how well this engineered material can bind with CO₂ catalysts to assess its efficiency in making methanol. The study was published in the journal ACS Applied Energy Materials, highlighting the ongoing efforts in the field of sustainable energy solutions.