IIT Guwahati Turns CO2 Into Clean Fuel

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati have engineered a pioneering photocatalytic material capable of transforming carbon dioxide into methanol fuel. This groundbreaking development harnesses direct sunlight to convert a primary greenhouse gas into a usable energy source, offering a dual solution for increasing energy demands and combating environmental pollution.

The research, led by Professor Mahuya De and scholar Nayan Moni Baishya, introduces a novel catalyst composed of easily accessible and cost-effective graphitic carbon nitride and few-layer graphene. This approach differs from existing global efforts by focusing on accessible materials for a sustainable conversion process.

This technology, though in its nascent laboratory phase, shows promise for deployment in thermal power plants, cement factories, steel production, and petrochemical refineries. The IIT Guwahati team plans to scale up this innovation to create a durable system for converting industrial CO₂ emissions into clean methanol fuel, contributing to greener energy solutions.