Tiny copper ‘flowers’ bloom on artificial leaves for clean fuel production. University of Cambridge
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of California, Berkeley, have developed an innovative system that uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into complex hydrocarbons.
This breakthrough could lead to cleaner energy production and more sustainable manufacturing processes.
Their approach combines a highly efficient solar cell made from a material known as perovskite with tiny copper catalysts dubbed “nano-flowers.”
Copper flowers with solar leaves
Traditional methods of converting CO₂ primarily yield single-carbon molecules.
However, this new technology can generate more complex hydrocarbons, such as ethane and ethylene, two crucial components for liquid fuels, plastics, and other chemicals.
The study, published in Nature Catalysis, highlights a significant step forward in seeking sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Most hydrocarbons available today are derived from fossil sources, contributing to environmental challenges.
The Cambridge-Berkeley team, however, has developed a system that produces hydrocarbons using only CO₂, water, and glycerol—a common organic material—without releasing additional carbon emissions.
This marks a distinct advance in the search for clean chemical production methods.
The researchers took inspiration from the natural process of photosynthesis, where plants convert sunlight into energy.
“Our goal was to advance beyond just basic CO₂ reduction and create more complex hydrocarbons, which requires a significant amount of energy,” explained Dr. Virgil Andrei from the Cambridge Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, the study’s lead author.
The team integrated the perovskite light absorber with the copper nano-flowers to achieve their results, transforming CO₂ into more intricate hydrocarbons.
They also incorporated silicon nanowire electrodes that effectively oxidize glycerol instead of splitting water, a less efficient method.
This combination resulted in a system that yields hydrocarbons around 200 times more efficiently than previous models.
Turning sunlight into fuel
In addition to improving CO₂ reduction, this reaction generates valuable byproducts such as glycerate, lactate, and formate—chemicals useful in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and various chemical syntheses.
“We have shown that glycerol, which is often seen as waste, can actually enhance reaction rates,” added Dr. Andrei. “This opens up opportunities for applying our technology to various chemical processes beyond merely converting waste.”
Despite achieving a selectivity rate of around 10% in converting CO₂ to hydrocarbons, the research team is optimistic about refining their catalysts to enhance this efficiency.
They envision expanding their platform to accommodate even more complex organic reactions, which could lead to groundbreaking developments in sustainable chemical production.
“This project illustrates the power of international collaboration in advancing scientific knowledge and practical applications,” Dr. Andrei noted.
The collaboration between researchers at Cambridge and Berkeley has the potential to reshape how fuels and essential chemical compounds are produced in an increasingly environmentally conscious world.
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Support for the research stemmed from several sources, including the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability, St John’s College, the US Department of Energy, the European Research Council, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
As scientists continue to refine this innovative technology, it could play a crucial role in enabling a transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, marking a significant milestone in efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability in industrial processes.