Researchers at McGill University have developed a groundbreaking method to harness sunlight and transform two of the most damaging greenhouse gases, methane and carbon dioxide, into valuable chemicals. This innovative process, detailed in a recent the potential to significantly aid efforts in combating climate change while offering a more sustainable approach to industrial production. The new chemical process, which uses sunlight to drive the conversion, transforms methane and carbon dioxide into green methanol and carbon monoxide in a single reaction. Both of these products are highly prized within the chemical and energy sectors.
Green methanol, in particular, is seen as a clean fuel alternative, while carbon monoxide is a critical building block in producing plastics and storing energy in batteries. Hui Su, co-first author of the study and a Postdoctoral Fellow at McGill’s Department of Chemistry, highlighted the broader implications of the discovery. “Imagine a world where the exhaust from your car or emissions from a factory could be transformed, with the help of sunlight, into clean fuel for vehicles, the building blocks for everyday plastics, and energy stored in batteries,” he said. “That’s precisely the kind of transformation this new chemical process enables.” The McGill team’s light-driven process is inspired by nature, drawing parallels to photosynthesis, where plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. In this newly discovered process, a combination of gold, palladium, and gallium nitride acts as a catalyst. When exposed to sunlight, the catalyst triggers a reaction that attaches an oxygen atom from carbon dioxide to a methane molecule, producing green methanol. Carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product. What sets this process apart is that it works at room temperature, avoiding the need for extreme heat and strong chemicals used in other chemical reactions. Chao-Jun Lee, lead author of the study and James McGill, Professor of Chemistry, confirmed the potential impact: “Using the high energy of the sun, we can recycle the greenhouse gases that double as a profitable product.” This innovative approach offers a promising solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and could play a significant role in helping Canada achieve its goal of net zero emissions by next year. 2050. More sustainable, environmental challenges will be transformed into economic and industrial opportunities.