h-PdMo, a recently discovered catalyst, can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful methanol at room temperature and low-pressure conditions, as demonstrated by researchers at Tokyo Tech.
h-PdMo, a recently discovered catalyst, can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful methanol at room temperature and low-pressure conditions, as demonstrated by researchers at Tokyo Tech. This novel compound, which is thermally and chemically stable in air, represents a new milestone in CO2 conversion via hydrogenation and could be key to slow down climate change.
Being the most abundant and persistent greenhouse gas emitted, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the key driver of climate change. To address the pressing problems associated with climate change and fossil fuel depletion, scientists are looking for viable solutions that can minimize the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. One attractive solution to this problem is to convert atmospheric CO2 into more useful compounds. Towards this end, methanol - a raw material, fuel additive, and energy carrier, is widely being explored as a promising conversion option for CO2.
Now, while various catalysts are currently used for CO2 conversion reactions, most of them were designed and investigated for use in high-temperature and -pressure conditions. This is a serious limitation for multiple reasons. First, maintaining such conditions requires energy and expensive containment systems. Second, the CO2 hydrogenation reaction is exothermic, and thus proceeds more favorably at lower temperatures. Third, high temperatures can sometimes compromise the stability of catalysts, resulting in their reduced lifespan. Finally, the conversion efficiency of existing heterogenous catalysts is extremely low for catalyzing such conversion reactions.
Read more at Tokyo Institute of Technology
