Plastic waste and CO₂ converted into hydrogen and feedstock chemical using sunlight

An integrated device has been developed that can convert carbon dioxide captured from the air into hydrogen and carbon monoxide using sunlight. This process coupled captured carbon dioxide reduction to the oxidation of plastic waste, generating the feedstock chemical glycolic acid to boot.

‘This is the first demonstration of connecting direct air capture of carbon dioxide with its direct utilisation in a solar-powered process, with everything in one device,’ says Erwin Reisner, who leads the group at the University of Cambridge. Carbon dioxide was captured from simulated flue gas or air using a standard amine/hydroxide solution under ambient conditions.