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Carbon dioxide can be converted directly into ethanol using copper nanoparticles on a nitrogen-doped graphene film:
In a new twist to waste-to-fuel technology, scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an electrochemical process that uses tiny spikes of carbon and copper to turn carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into ethanol. Their finding, which involves nanofabrication and catalysis science, was serendipitous. [...] The team used a catalyst made of carbon, copper and nitrogen and applied voltage to trigger a complicated chemical reaction that essentially reverses the combustion process. With the help of the nanotechnology-based catalyst which contains multiple reaction sites, the solution of carbon dioxide dissolved in water turned into ethanol with a yield of 63 percent. Typically, this type of electrochemical reaction results in a mix of several different products in small amounts.
High-Selectivity Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Ethanol using a Copper Nanoparticle/N-Doped Graphene Electrode (open, DOI: 10.1002/slct.201601169) (DX)
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday October 16 2016, @01:05AM
The accomplishment is the scientific analog of Jesus Christ turning water into wine.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Sunday October 16 2016, @01:14AM
I'd like to go on record as volunteering to help by disposing of all the converted CO2 they feel like shipping my way.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.