Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed a more efficient method for transforming carbon dioxide into valuable products while addressing climate change. This advance, published in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering, focuses on improved electrochemical conversion for the creation of ethylene from CO₂.
Ethylene, known as “the world’s most important chemical,” is one of the most widely produced chemicals globally, with applications ranging from textiles to antifreeze to vinyl.
The process of creating ethylene from CO₂.
The process, according to associate professor Jingjie Wu and his team, promises ethylene production using green energy instead of fossil fuels, with the added benefit of removing carbon from the atmosphere. Wu stressed the importance of using CO₂ as feedstock, which effectively recycles carbon dioxide.
The collaboration of Wu’s students, including lead author and UC graduate Zhengyuan Li, with universities and national laboratories such as Rice University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University and Arizona State University, has been instrumental. Li was recognized with a prestigious graduate student award by the College of Engineering and Applied Science last year.
The study revealed that the electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ produces mainly two carbon products: ethylene and ethanol, with ethylene benefiting the most from the use of a modified copper catalyst. Li highlighted the importance of these findings for selectively targeting ethylene, achieving an impressive 50% increase in ethylene selectivity.
The next step, according to Li, is to refine the process to make it commercially viable, facing the challenge of efficiency loss due to the formation of byproducts such as potassium hydroxide in the copper catalyst.
For his part, Wu stressed that these new technologies will contribute to a greener and more energy-efficient chemical industry. The main objective is to decarbonize chemical production through the use of renewable electricity and sustainable raw materials, marking a significant advance in the decarbonization of the chemical sector.
This study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where its Office of Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization leads efforts to reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions in industry.
The future of “green chemistry” and the circular economy
This breakthrough in green chemistry not only represents a significant step towards the sustainable production of chemicals, but also underlines the potential of the circular economy in the chemical industry.
By converting CO₂, a by-product of industrial and combustion processes, into ethylene, the carbon cycle is closed, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact. This approach not only addresses the challenge of climate change, but also opens up new avenues for innovation and sustainability in chemical production, demonstrating how science and technology can collaborate to create effective and environmentally friendly solutions.
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Source: oilprice.com
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