Guwahati: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a novel photocatalytic material that can convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol fuel using sunlight.
The breakthrough aims to address the growing challenge of meeting rising energy demands without further harming the environment. The findings of the study have been published in the Journal of Materials Science.
Highlighting the motivation behind the research, Mahuya De, Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Guwahati, said continued reliance on petroleum-based fuels remains a major source of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to environmental stress and global warming. “To address this, researchers are working on designing photocatalytic methods to convert carbon dioxide into clean fuels,” she said.
While scientists worldwide have explored the use of graphitic carbon nitride—a low-cost, metal-free and non-toxic material—for CO₂ conversion, its practical application has been limited due to rapid energy loss and low fuel generation efficiency.
To overcome these limitations, the IIT Guwahati team combined graphitic carbon nitride with few-layer graphene. Known for its excellent electrical conductivity and energy transfer properties, the ultra-thin carbon material helped reduce energy loss within the catalyst and improved overall performance.
According to De, the approach could contribute significantly to mitigating environmental challenges while promoting green energy solutions. “Converting carbon dioxide into cleaner fuel using solar energy is a promising technology in this direction,” she said.
The study demonstrated that incorporating a few-layer graphene enhanced the photocatalytic energy retention of carbon nitride under visible light or sunlight, keeping the catalyst active for longer periods. This resulted in improved light absorption, better charge generation and higher conversion efficiency.
Among the composites tested, the catalyst containing 15 weight percent graphene showed the most efficient conversion of carbon dioxide into methanol, along with strong stability—an essential factor for real-world applications.
The technology has potential applications in industries such as thermal power plants, cement factories, steel manufacturing units and petrochemical refineries, supporting the transition towards a circular carbon economy and a cleaner energy future, De added.
As a next step, the research team plans to scale up the technology for practical use and develop a long-lasting photocatalytic system capable of converting industrial CO₂ emissions into clean fuels.
