Precious metal-free catalyst conjured using sugar can turn CO₂ into chemical feedstock

A stable, selective and precious metal-free catalyst for the conversion of waste carbon dioxide into synthesis gas has been developed by researchers in the US and Canada.¹ The work potentially provides a step towards production of valuable industrial chemicals from captured carbon in future chemical refineries.

Synthesis gas, or syngas – a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen – is crucial for producing numerous industrial chemicals such as ammonia, methanol and larger hydrocarbons. Today it is most commonly made either from steam reforming of methane or from gasification of coal or heavy hydrocarbons, both of which are highly endothermic processes and have large carbon footprints. An alternative is the reverse water–gas shift, in which carbon dioxide is reduced to carbon monoxide by hydrogen, while the hydrogen is oxidised to water. Using an excess of hydrogen can produce syngas.