In a new study, researchers at the University of Auckland have developed a method to convert waste carbon dioxide into a precursor for carbon-free fuel for use in various applications. This groundbreaking research paves the way for carbon-neutral technologies and a sustainable future. The team led by Dr. Ziyun Wang from the School of Chemical Sciences, along with their Chinese colleagues, used a combination of computational chemistry and electrochemical experiments to demonstrate a method for turning CO2 into formic acid. One of the 21st century’s major challenges is mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). One possible way to achieve this is to convert CO2 into useful chemicals that can be used as fuels, feedstocks, or materials.

The Methodology ~ 

• Electrolysis (defined as a process of decomposing ionic compounds into their elements by passing a direct electric current through the compound in a fluid form) has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful chemicals, which could contribute to a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future. However, this process is quite challenging to develop into a robust and efficient system, as it typically requires alkaline conditions that limit carbon utilization. While some strategies, such as physical washing and pulsed operation, can help mitigate these problems, they have yet to fully resolve them. They used a catalyst made from waste lead-acid batteries, which enabled a transformation that was not previously possible with existing catalysts. Formic acid is a colorless and pungent liquid with the potential as a transportation fuel for storing electrical energy and for reducing CO2 emissions in the petrochemical industry. With carbon dioxide emissions being a major contributor to global warming, scientists are exploring various options for capturing and storing CO2, repurposing it, and transitioning to a carbon-free economy. “This innovation opens up exciting possibilities for carbon-neutral technologies,” he says. “In the future, cars and gas stations could be using repurposed carbon dioxide.”

• The innovative method employs a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, a device that effectively converts CO2 for over 5,000 hours. In a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, carbon dioxide is fed into an electrochemical cell and transformed into formic acid, similar to charging a battery. Scientists have calculated that the process can be scaled up for industrial use in a cost-effective manner. With possible applications in cars, gas stations, and the petrochemical industry, this technology could potentially help in the transition toward a carbon-free economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.''The biggest challenge now is finding the financial support to further explore our technology’s possibilities,” says Wang.

CO2 Is A Precious Resource ~

The hard work of the team, which includes research fellow Dr. Yu Mao and two PhD students, Chengyi Zhang and Ruihu Lu, is what made this experiment successful. Their combined efforts have advanced the idea of turning waste CO2 into a useful resource. These kinds of scientific discoveries give promise for a sustainable future as the need to address climate change on a global scale becomes more pressing. The University of Auckland's efforts in this area using fuel that is carbon neutral are a big step in the right direction toward being carbon neutral and lessening the effects of greenhouse gas emissions!