Chemists reported a catalyst breakthrough that triples methanol output by separating carbon dioxide conversion steps across specialized material sites.
The design addresses a decades-old efficiency problem where intermediate molecules stalled single-site reactions.
Methanol can serve as fuel or feedstock, making CO2 utilization attractive for hard-to-decarbonize industries.
Lab reactors demonstrated the gain under moderate temperatures, though industrial scaling remains untested.
Energy analysts said successful deployment could complement carbon capture at power plants.
Peer reviewers praised the mechanistic clarity while calling for long-duration stability tests.
The work adds to a crowded field racing to make CO2-derived fuels economically viable.
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Sources:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/