"Revolutionary Copper Catalysts Convert CO2 into Methane with High Efficiency"

Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into methane using copper-based catalysts and electrolysis. The catalysts, made by grafting isolated copper atoms onto two-dimensional polymer templates, enabled the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane with high selectivity and efficiency. By modulating the distances between the copper atoms, the energy required for key reaction steps was lowered, resulting in faster chemical conversion. This advancement in carbon dioxide conversion technology could help close the artificial carbon cycle and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.