Scientists Have Discovered How To Remove Carbon Dioxide From Factory Emissions

A team of researchers at the Oregon State University has developed a new compound that can remove carbon dioxide from smokestacks, transforming the emissions into commercially-viable chemicals.

The scientists, who published the study in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, discovered that by combining their novel metal organic framework with propylene oxide, a common chemical used in industries, carbon dioxide can be removed from factory flue gasses while catalyzing the formation of cyclic carbonates.

“We’ve taken a big step toward solving a crucial challenge associated with the hoped-for circular carbon economy by developing an effective catalyst,” explained lead researcher Kyriakos Stylianou, as per Interesting Engineering.

According to Technology Networks, cyclic carbonates are a type of colorless, odorless compound that can be used in a wide range of ways in industries, acting as polar solvents, precursors for polycarbonate materials (e.g. eyeglass lenses), electrolytes in lithium batters, and precursors for pharmaceutical drugs. 

“These are very exciting findings. And being able to directly use carbon dioxide from impure sources saves us the cost and energy of separating it before it can be used to make cyclic carbonates, which will be a boon for the green economy,” said Stylianou.

[via Interesting Engineering and Technology Networks, cover image via Ramaikina | Dreamstime.com]