In a planet facing alarming climate change, scientists are tirelessly searching for innovative methods to tackle one of the dominant culprits: carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The primary source? The burning of fossil fuels for transportation, industrial production, and electricity generation. However, hope is on the horizon thanks to groundbreaking research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Led by Zili Wu, head of the Surface Chemistry and Catalysis Group, this ambitious team is backed by the Department of Energy to explore two revolutionary strategies aimed at curbing CO2 emissions and ultimately slowing global warming. Wu recently shared insightful updates on this pivotal research during a talk to Friends of ORNL.

Wu is also the deputy director of one of the newly established Energy EarthShot Research Centers (EERCs), which focuses on optimizing energy reactions through non-equilibrium processes—a novel concept known as NEETER.

Strategy 1: Transforming CO2 into Valuable Resources

The first strategy Wu's team is working on involves converting captured CO2 emissions into high-value chemicals and fuels—a process often referred to as "closing the carbon cycle." The challenge lies in designing more effective catalysts that can drive chemical reactions with less energy expenditure while maximizing the yields of desirable products.

To illustrate, Wu likens this process to climbing a mountain: instead of opting for the arduous trek up and down, a local guide (akin to a catalyst) can lead you along a more efficient path that saves energy. Wu's lab is specifically focused on developing methods to react hydrogen with CO2 to enhance methanol production—a versatile compound used in fuels, solvents, and pharmaceuticals.

The uniqueness of their approach lies in utilizing copper particles on a specially treated barium titanate support. By modifying the chemical composition to create an oxyhydride compound, they achieved a remarkable outcome: the new catalyst generated three times as much methanol compared to traditional methods, marking a significant advance in the field. This exciting breakthrough was published in a prestigious edition of *Angewandte Chemie International Edition*, with their findings adorning the publication's back cover.

Strategy 2: Electrification of Chemical Processes

Wu's second approach aims to transform the American chemical industry by decreasing its reliance on fossil fuels through electrification. The industry accounts for approximately 30% of the U.S.’s CO2 emissions, with the chemical sector alone responsible for nearly 40% of these emissions.

Wu's vision includes replacing conventional heating methods with "Joule heating," which effectively converts electric energy into heat through resistance. Another intriguing method involves using mechanocatalysis in a ball mill, where a colliding ball produces extreme temperatures—up to 800 degrees Celsius—creating a localized heating effect to drive chemical reactions.

Both methods have the potential to leverage renewable energy, offering sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel combustion in chemical manufacturing processes. The research team aims to blend computational modeling with experimental work to identify challenges and solutions within electrification, collaborating with prominent institutions such as Delaware State University, Georgia Tech, and Stanford University among others.

As Wu emphasizes, while their work represents essential breakthroughs in chemical catalysis, significant strides are required in partnership with industrial and academic entities to refine and scale these methods for an effective transition towards a greener, more sustainable chemical industry.

Can These Innovative Strategies Save Our Planet?

As the countdown to combat climate change continues, the findings emerging from research like Wu's could very well define the future of our planet's health. Stay tuned!