Solar catalyst turns CO2 and organic waste into formate and plastic precursors at over 90% efficiency

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a solar-powered catalyst system that converts carbon dioxide and organic waste into valuable chemicals. The system uses a photoelectrochemical reactor where sunlight drives two reactions at once: CO2 is turned into formate, a chemical used in textiles and pharmaceuticals, while biomass waste is converted into a building block for sustainable plastics. The process operates entirely on solar energy with no additional electricity or heat needed. The catalyst achieved roughly 93% efficiency for CO2 conversion and 95% for the biomass reaction. It uses earth-abundant materials and was tested under simulated sunlight for stable performance over several hours. A life cycle assessment showed lower greenhouse gas emissions and water use compared to conventional methods. The researchers say the system could be scaled for industrial use and integrated with carbon capture or biorefineries.