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Researchers have developed a technology capable of converting carbon dioxide into methane fuel, promising a sustainable solution to reduce emissions and generate energy.
Scientists have developed a technology capable of transforming carbon dioxide carbon (CO₂) into methane, a highly energetic fuel, using electricity from renewable sources.
This innovation promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and offer a more cost-effective solution for capturing carbon.
An energetic leap
The process uses catalysts based on nickel, which directly convert the CO₂ captured in methane, according to the chemist Thomas Neves-Garcia, lead author of the study and researcher at Ohio State University.
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This approach reduces the energy required compared to traditional methods, which rely on several complex steps.
“We are starting from a low-energy molecule and transforming it into a highly energetic fuel,” explained Neves-Garcia. He highlighted that the method’s unique feature is that it performs the capture and conversion in a single step, saving energy and simplifying the process.
Closing the carbon cycle
The technology has the potential to create a sustainable carbon cycle. When methane is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, which can be captured again and turned into methane. This continuous recycling could significantly reduce the impact of emissions on global warming.
The breakthrough also represents the first successful conversion of carbamate, a captured form of CO₂, into methane using electrochemistry. Until now, most research in the field had only managed to convert CO₂ into carbon monoxide.
The Future of Carbon Capture
The study, published in Journal of the American Chemical Society, paves the way for the creation of new technologies that convert CO₂ into useful products. “Methane is just the beginning,” said Neves-Garcia. “We want to explore other forms of clean energy to inspire even more sustainable solutions.”
With the promise of reducing costs and increasing efficiency, the innovation reinforces the importance of clean technologies to mitigate climate change. According to Neves-Garcia, the goal is to continue advancing strategies that save energy and maximize benefits for the planet.
This research offers hope for a future where carbon capture is not only a viable solution, but essential to balancing global energy and environmental demands.
