New catalyst transforms CO2 into methanol with light

An international team of researchers from Nottingham University's School of Chemistry, Birmingham University, University of Queensland and University of Ulm designed the material, which is made up of copper anchored on nanocrystalline carbon nitride.

According to the team, the copper atoms are nested within the nanocrystalline structure, which allows electrons to move from carbon nitride to CO₂, an essential step in the production of methanol from CO₂ under the influence of solar irradiation. The research has been published in Sustainable Energy & Fuels.

In photocatalysis, light is shone on a semiconductor material that excites electrons, enabling them to travel through the material to react with CO₂ and water, leading to a variety of useful products, including methanol. However, this process lacks efficiency and selectivity.

It is possible to convert CO₂ to useful products, but traditional thermal methods rely on hydrogen sourced from fossil fuels. Alternative methods based on photo- and electrocatalysis can make use of sustainable solar energy and abundant water.