Science and Technology Daily (Reporter Liu Xia) Scientists at the University of Cambridge in the UK have developed a new device that harnesses sunlight to directly capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and convert it into syngas, which serves as a raw material for producing sustainable fuels. The relevant paper was published in a recent issue of Nature Energy.
The device is a solar-powered flow reactor that uses specialized filters to capture CO2 from the air during the night. When the sun rises, sunlight heats the captured CO2, absorbing infrared radiation, while semiconductor powder in the reactor absorbs ultraviolet radiation, initiating a chemical reaction that converts the captured CO2 into syngas. Additionally, mirrors on the reactor enhance the concentration of sunlight, making the process more efficient.
Syngas is a critical intermediate in the production of numerous chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The syngas obtained from the reactor can be used to manufacture fuels for automobiles and aircraft, as well as chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is considered a potential solution to the climate crisis, but scientists express concerns about the long-term safety of pressurized CO2 storage deep underground. Moreover, pressurized CO2 can only be stored underground indefinitely, rendering it unused.
This solar reactor not only captures CO2 but also turns waste into treasure. The research team notes that, unlike most CCS technologies, this reactor does not require fossil fuels for power and does not necessitate the transportation and storage of CO2. Instead, it leverages sunlight to convert atmospheric CO2 into useful chemical raw materials. Furthermore, the device can be easily scaled up for fuel production in remote or off-grid areas.
