Producing Syngas From CO2 And Sunlight With Direct Air Capture – Hackaday

🔍 Summary:

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the air and converting it into syngas (CO + H2), a mixture that can be used as a fuel or in various industrial processes. Published in Nature Energy, their study describes a two-step process using a bed of solid silica-amine to adsorb CO2 from the air, which is then released by exposure to concentrated light. The CO2 is subsequently converted into syngas by passing it over a second bed containing a silica/alumina-titania-cobalt bis(terpyridine) photocatalyst.

This direct air capture and utilization (DACCU) approach is notable because it does not require a pure CO2 feedstock and can operate with the ambient air. The envisioned system would absorb CO2 at night and use concentrated solar power by day to release and convert the CO2, achieving a high conversion ratio with minimal CO2 emissions from the outlet air.

While the technology is still in the proof-of-concept stage in the laboratory, it represents a promising alternative to traditional methods like steam methane reforming (SMR) for producing syngas. The real-world viability and scalability of this technology remain to be seen as it transitions from lab to practical application.

The article also discusses broader implications and challenges of carbon capture technologies, including the need for efficient use of solar energy and the potential hazards of handling syngas. It highlights the ongoing debate over the best strategies for reducing atmospheric CO2 and the role of innovative technologies in achieving these goals.

📌 Source: https://hackaday.com/2025/03/21/producing-syngas-from-co2-and-sunlight-with-direct-air-capture/