Researchers Scale Carbon-Recycling Catalysts to 75 Grams, Cutting Costs to $145 a Ton
Updated
Updated · tippahnews.com · Sep 2
Researchers Scale Carbon-Recycling Catalysts to 75 Grams, Cutting Costs to $145 a Ton
3 articles · Updated · tippahnews.com · Sep 2
Summary
A new ACS Omega study says a single synthesis can produce 75-gram batches of single-atom carbon-recycling catalysts without losing performance, far above the 50-100 milligram scale common in the field.
The larger-scale method targets the step that converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, a feedstock for fuels, plastics and pharmaceuticals, using a nickel-and-iron design instead of conventional silver-based catalysts.
Researchers estimate the process could lower recycling costs to $145 per ton—about $255 below the current market price—and cut emissions by roughly 25% versus existing methods.
Ahmed Badreldin and Carter Racine said bigger batches also reduce time, energy and logistics burdens, potentially supplying enough catalyst for large commercial deployments within days through a modular setup.
The main hurdle now is durability: the team said future work is focused on achieving long-term stability so commercial systems can run for nearly a year.