What is the new electrode designed to do?

The new electrode captures carbon dioxide directly from air and exhaust gases and converts it into formic acid, a useful chemical.

What are the advantages of this new electrode system?

The system demonstrates higher efficiency compared to existing electrodes, works with simulated flue gas, and can capture CO2 at atmospheric concentrations, simplifying carbon utilization.

Home / Science / New Electrode Turns CO2 into Fuel

New Electrode Turns CO2 into Fuel

Q: How does the new electrode technology work?

It utilizes a three-layer design: a CO2-capturing material, gas-permeable carbon paper, and a tin(IV) oxide catalytic layer to transform captured CO2 into formic acid.

29 Jan

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Summary

New electrode captures CO2 and converts it to formic acid.
System works effectively with simulated flue gas.
It outperforms existing technologies in real-world conditions.

A groundbreaking electrode has been engineered to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from exhaust gases and simultaneously convert it into formic acid. This dual-functionality electrode, detailed in ACS Energy Letters, represents a significant advancement in carbon capture and utilization.

The three-layer electrode comprises a CO2-capturing material, gas-permeable carbon paper, and a tin(IV) oxide catalytic layer. This design enables the direct transformation of captured CO2 into formic acid, a valuable chemical used in various industrial processes and fuel cells.

Testing revealed the new electrode's impressive efficiency, outperforming existing technologies by approximately 40% with pure CO gas. Its capabilities were further highlighted when tested with simulated flue gas, where it efficiently produced formic acid, unlike other systems.