scientists develop efficient sunlight-based co2 capture method
Researchers have unveiled a breakthrough in carbon capture technology that uses sunlight to convert CO2 into useful chemicals at unprecedented efficiency. The innovation, detailed in a recent study, could significantly aid efforts to combat climate change. Led by a team at the University of California, the method outperforms existing approaches by a factor of ten.
In a study published on September 28, 2025, in the journal Nature, scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, announced a novel photocatalytic process for capturing and converting carbon dioxide (CO2) using only sunlight and water. The method involves a specially engineered catalyst that splits water to produce hydrogen, which then reacts with CO2 to form methanol, a valuable fuel and chemical feedstock.
The research team, led by Dr. Jane Doe, an associate professor of chemistry, conducted experiments demonstrating that their system achieves a solar-to-fuel efficiency of 10%, far surpassing the 1% typical of previous sunlight-driven CO2 reduction techniques. 'This breakthrough brings us closer to practical, scalable carbon capture that doesn't rely on energy-intensive processes,' Dr. Doe stated in the press release. The catalyst is made from abundant materials like titanium dioxide modified with cobalt, ensuring low cost and environmental friendliness.
Background context reveals that current carbon capture technologies, such as those used in industrial plants, consume significant energy and are expensive, limiting their widespread adoption. This new approach leverages abundant solar energy, potentially integrating with existing solar panels. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with a grant of $2.5 million over three years.
Testing occurred over six months in a lab setting, with initial prototypes showing stability for over 100 hours of continuous operation under simulated sunlight. While the researchers emphasize that real-world deployment will require further optimization, the implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are profound. 'If scaled up, this could capture millions of tons of CO2 annually from the atmosphere,' noted co-author Dr. John Smith.
The announcement comes amid global urgency to meet Paris Agreement targets, with CO2 levels reaching 420 parts per million in 2025. No contradictions were noted in the source, which provides a unified account of the development.