Engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have devised a method to generate synthetic methane from carbon dioxide (CO2) using nothing but sunlight.
This innovation, detailed in their research published in EES Catalysis, aims to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.
Dr Emma Lovell, a key member of the research team, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough: “Creating synthetic methane using only the natural resource of the sun is a cleaner and greener alternative for usage in heavy transportation, shipping, and other specific industries where gas usage is essential.”
The process hinges on leveraging light and heat to trigger a reaction that converts CO2 into synthetic methane.
By employing specific catalysts and support materials, the team has pioneered a pathway for visible light to drive this conversion, marking a significant stride towards sustainability.
Led by Professor Rose Amal and comprising researchers such as Dr Priyank Kumar, Dr Emma C. Lovell, Yi Fen (Charlotte) Zhu, Associate Professor Jason Scott, Dr Bingqiao Xie, and Dr Jodie A. Yuwono, the UNSW team’s work not only addresses environmental concerns but also harnesses renewable energy to power the conversion process.
PhD candidate Zhu underscored the economic viability of the approach, “Being able to directly use sunlight reduces the costs required for energy generation to facilitate the reaction. This alleviates one of the major challenges in the pursuit and application of CO2-derived fuel.”
Moreover, the transformation of waste CO2 into synthetic fuel establishes a circular fuel economy, promoting sustainability by reusing carbon emissions and lessening dependence on fossil fuels.
This closed-loop system not only mitigates environmental impact but also offers a more economically feasible alternative to traditional fuel production.
Associate Professor Scott emphasises the versatility of the research’s applications, extending beyond fuel production.
“One of the most promising aspects of this research is its potential impact on industries like fuel production, cement manufacturing, biomass gasification, and pharmaceuticals.”
Looking forward, the team said it envisions scaling up its process for industrial implementation.
According to them, challenges lie in effectively introducing light into larger-scale systems, a task they are actively addressing through innovative methods such as harnessing solar-thermal alongside light assistance.
