Cornell researchers have developed a new chemical process for carbon capture. This method uses sunlight as a clean and abundant energy source. It aims to improve current carbon capture methods by lowering costs and net emissions.
The study, published in Chem, details how the researchers mimic plant mechanisms. They use sunlight to create a stable enol molecule. This molecule is reactive enough to capture carbon dioxide from industrial sources.
The system also uses sunlight to drive a reaction that releases the captured carbon dioxide. This allows for storage or reuse. It is the first light-powered system for both carbon capture and release.