A major breakthrough in sustainable energy could allow us to produce fuel from thin air.
The Department of Energy’s Centre for Hybrid Approaches in Solar Energy to Liquid Fuels (CHASE) has developed a method that uses high-surface-area silicon to generate liquid solar fuel from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Previous efforts with silicon-based photoelectrodes laid the groundwork, but researchers discovered that a three-dimensional micropillar structure significantly improves efficiency and product yield.
In two experiments, the team tested different catalysts on the silicon photoelectrode. These catalysts absorb sunlight to trigger chemical reactions that convert CO2 and water into fuel, mimicking photosynthesis. The first trial used cobalt, producing methanol with higher current density. The second trial, with rhenium, showed improved durability and selectivity in transforming carbon monoxide into methanol.
According to the Department of Energy, these findings highlight the benefits of higher-surface-area silicon semiconductors. This research is a crucial step towards generating liquid fuels using only sunlight, CO2, and water.
The International Renewable Energy Agency notes that increasing green methanol production could prevent 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
These experiments offer promising results for renewable energy, helping industries transition away from fossil fuels. CHASE's innovation not only captures CO2 but also relies on abundant sunlight, making it a sustainable solution for the future.
