We might be able to take advantage of the carbon dioxide released into the air

Japanese researchers have developed a new method for sequestering and using carbon dioxide, known as one of the main catalysts for climate change. Unlike previous methods, the Japanese researchers’ method does not require high temperatures or high pressure but is easy and inexpensive to reproduce.

Although global carbon emissions fell by 5.8 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year, 34 billion tons of gas were still released into the atmosphere, which is a gigantic amount that contributes to the aggravation of the effects of climate change.

To reduce the damage, we need to capture as much carbon dioxide as possible - there have been attempts to do so since the 1970s, but of course these were not with the intention of protecting the planet, but because the collected gas was utilised to make oil production more efficient.

There are several ways to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but none are cheap or particularly effective. Natural methods include afforestation and enrichment of ocean vegetation - a process that requires the restoration of complex ecosystems.

Furthermore, there are experiments focusing on the direct removal of the gas, which in most cases bind the greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere by chemical methods - for the time being, the only goal is removal, although it would not hurt to use the gas obtained in this way. Carbon dioxide is currently extracted by combusting it and then immediately absorbing the resulting gas with a solvent. The amines used for this purpose are depleting quickly, they need to be replaced, which is certainly not cheap. And a solvent full of carbon dioxide is not at all environmentally friendly.

Researchers are constantly working on new solutions, one of the most promising methods transforms CO₂ into structures called metal-organic frameworks. An economical solution was developed by a research team at Kyoto University: they bubbled CO2 at a temperature of 25°C and a pressure of 0.1 MPa through piperazine - the result was a white powder that bound the dangerous gas.

The unique approach of the method of Japanese researchers is that, unlike previous methods, it does not require high temperatures or high pressure, but can be easily and cheaply reproduced. The next step in the work is to make this procedure work specifically above chimneys with high emission levels.

“Direct utilisation of CO₂ is challenging, but it will potentially save a lot of energy that is required for the capture and separation of the gas,” Horike said. “The emission of CO₂ by fossil fuel combustion must be reduced and regulated to protect the environment. Our method here is a potential clue to help solve some important environmental problems.”

The carbon dioxide converted this way can be useful: metal-organic frameworks are a safe method of storing hydrogen, which can also be used as an environmentally friendly fuel for fuel cell vehicles.

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