Transform Pollution into Fuel This is what is intended with a process called carbon dioxide hydrogenation2), that transforms the co2 – one of the main greenhouse gases – in Renewable chemicals and fuels .
One of the most important products is methanol, a versatile compound used in everything, from plastics to fuels .
It is also possible to produce other compounds, such as methane, which can be injected directly into natural gas pipelines, as well as larger chain hydrocarbons, which can be used as gasoline or aviation fuel. This opens the possibility of creating so-called e-commerce, sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
An international consortium was attended by Liane Rossi, director of the Carbon Capture and Conversion Program (CCU) of the Greenhouse Research Research Center (RCGI) and professor at the University of São Paulo Institute of Chemistry (USP), presents an overview of the subject in article published in Science magazine.
RCGI is a Engineering Research Center (CPE) consisting of FAPESP and Shell at the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (Poly-USP), currently supported by several companies.
“We need to rethink our relationship with carbon dioxide,” argues Robert Wojcieszak, a senior researcher at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientify [França] and one of the authors of the article. “Instead of seeing it as a residue, we can capture the co2 of industrial sources or even directly from the air and use it as a valuable carbon building block. ”
The surface of the catalytic particles captures the co molecules2 and hydrogen, weakening the strong bonds that keep them together. This allows atoms to reorganize and form new calls, creating the desired products. Scientists are constantly working to develop better catalysts.
The article analyzed methanol as a green solution for aviation and maritime transport. Since the 1940s, the Cuznal catalyst (CZA) has been used to produce methanol. It has become the pattern of industry because it is efficient. However, “when using CZA, the catalytic process has a peculiarity: it prefers a different reaction rather than directly converting the co2 in methanol. This means that he does not use the co2 As efficiently as we would like, ”explains Andrew Beale, professor at University College London (UK) and co -author of the article.
Another CZA problem is aggregation. Over time, the catalytic particles grouped, reducing their surface area and becoming less effective. Nikolaos Dimitratos, professor at the University of Bologna (Italy), adds: “Catalysts who are initially more active [e geralmente contêm mais cobre] They are also those who add themselves faster. ”
Thus, although the CZA is a great catalyst, its performance decreases over time. Scientists are looking for even better catalysts that can use2 more efficiently and last longer. The hydrogenation of the co2 It can provide clean e-commercevels for difficult sectors to electrify directly, such as aviation and maritime transport.
New catalysts
The article points out that scientists are exploring new formulations for catalysts and those based on Indian oxide are showing great potential. Recent research indicates that more than 85% of these new catalysts can convert2 in methanol with more than 50% efficiency.
“The good news is that methanol production is getting better and more,” says Jingyun Je, a professor at Duquesne University (United States). The most targeted catalyst currently consists of copper, zinc oxide, manganese oxide and a special support called KIT-6. This catalyst can operate at a relatively low temperature (180 ° C) and transform the2 in methanol with high efficiency.
However, as Rossi explains, “the ultimate goal goes beyond only producing methanol, it is about building a sustainable future fueled by many products derived from the co2. The key is in the development of innovative catalysts. Advancing in the hydrogenation of CO2we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, especially when we use renewable energy to boost the process. ”
This does not mean that it is a magical solution. There are challenges and compensations to consider. Be the origin of CO2 Of a factory or captured directly from the air, the technology used to convert it and the final application of the product as fuel can significantly impact general environmental footprint.
Perspectives
In the article, scientists detail the main factors that influence the activity of heterogeneous catalysts in the hydrogenation of CO2 for methanol. They highlight different strategies to increase catalyst stability and improve their hydrogenation properties, bringing together the most significant advances in the last five years and challenges for developing more efficient formulations. Historical and mechanistic aspects of CO hydrogenation2 They are also discussed.
Alternatives, such as Palladio-Indian catalysts, are being studied, but the cost is still a major obstacle. Despite these challenges, advances in catalyst design and material analysis techniques are paving the way for a cleaner energetic future, driven by CO hydrogenation2.
“We still have difficulty understanding the reactions at the molecular level, and the mechanisms of deactivation of catalysts, such as sintering, poisoning and bun formation, are not well understood,” concludes Wojcieszak.
However, scientists believe that future advances are possible. Increased computing power, especially with artificial intelligence and quantum computing, combined with large volumes of data will allow more accurate simulations and a better understanding of catalyst behavior. At the same time, new real -time characterization techniques will provide more detailed knowledge about active sites and reaction mechanisms.
The article hyDROGENATION OF CO2 for Sustainable Fuel and Chemical Production can be read in link.
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*With information from RCGI
This content was originally published in greenhouse gas can give rise to sustainable fuels; Understand on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil

Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.