Scientists Develop Way To Make CO2 a Valuable Fuel Source

Researchers from Yale University and the University of Missouri have reported the development of a redesigned, low-cost catalyst that shows unexpected durability while converting carbon dioxide into formate, a compound widely studied for hydrogen storage. The findings were published in the journal Chem.

According to SciTechDaily, the study shows that catalysts based on manganese, an abundant and inexpensive metal, can efficiently convert CO₂ into formate while maintaining stability over longer periods. The research was led by Yale postdoctoral researcher Justin Wedal and University of Missouri graduate researcher Kyler Virtue, with senior contributions from Yale chemistry professor Nilay Hazari and Missouri professor Wesley Bernskoetter.

Formate, and its protonated form formic acid, is already produced industrially and is being explored as a potential hydrogen carrier for fuel-cell technologies. However, current production methods rely on fossil fuels, limiting sustainability.

According to the researchers, many effective catalysts rely on costly and toxic precious metals, while cheaper alternatives often degrade quickly. By modifying the ligand structure to stabilize manganese catalysts, the team significantly extended their operational lifetime, achieving performance that surpasses many precious-metal systems.

The researchers say the design strategy could be applied to other catalytic processes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.