Carbon capture is getting a fresh look after a major breakthrough by scientists .
A new metal organic framework (MOF) has been discovered by scientists looking into developing new technologies for capturing carbon dioxide emissions, and it's capable of storing enormous amounts of carbon due to an internal surface area that's extremely high.
A new study published in Angewandte Chemie, scientists found that this new material uses sunlight to release the carbon it has stored up, making it a much cheaper and more efficient alternative to existing technologies.
"For the first time, this has opened up the opportunity to design carbon capture systems that use sunlight to trigger the release of carbon dioxide," said Associate Professor Ladewig to Monash University.
"This is a step-change in carbon capture technologies."
But wait, you say. Why are scientists so concerned with releasing carbon? Isn't the whole point to remove it from the atmosphere?
While that's certainly true, once carbon dioxide has been obtained from the air, it has to be stored somewhere. Since it can't remain in the sponge forever, it must be moved and transported into a safe storage facility. Current technology uses liquid-based material to obtain carbon from the environment, and because of that it must be heated up in a lengthy process before the carbon can be released into storage.
If scientists can use light to trigger the release of carbon, then the whole enterprise becomes a viable and efficient solution.
"The MOF can release the adsorbed carbon dioxide when irradiated with light found in sunlight, just like wringing out a sponge," said Richelle Lyndon, PhD student and lead author of the paper.
"The MOF we discovered had a particular affinity for carbon dioxide. However, the light responsive molecules could potentially be combined with other MOFs, making the capture and release technology appropriate for other gases."
Our global warming woes wouldn't be completely solved with the widespread use of this technology. Once carbon is stored it's still there, meaning any number of natural or man-made disasters could release it into the air, triggering unforeseen consequences. As one part of a comprehensive climate change strategy, though, this news is certainly welcome.
