New technique developed to transform waste CO2 into high-value chemicals

According to the NUS researchers, their new technique has enabled the direct conversion of CO2 from treated flue gas, a common by-product of industrial processes, into high-value multi-carbon (C2+) products.

Specifically, these C2+ products, such as ethylene and ethanol, are essential raw materials to produce everyday compounds such as plastics, polymers and detergents.

The researchers said that this advance could not only circumvent the need for high-purity CO2 but also repurpose a prevalent waste product, working towards closing the carbon cycle and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Traditionally, the process of transforming CO2 into a range of feedstocks for chemicals and fuels demands high purity-CO2, energy-intensive purification and high costs, according to the researchers.

The presence of oxygen impurities in flue gas often results in undesired side reactions, which can significantly reduce the efficiency of the CO2 reduction process.

The research team, led by Assistant Professor Yanwei Lum from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, the NUS College of Design and Engineering, aimed to avoid these challenges by integrating catalyst design with electrolyte selection.