Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to improve CO2 conversion efficiency by about 25% using controlled power interruptions. The catalyst converts waste carbon dioxide into valuable products like acetate, but renewable electricity sources such as solar and hydro often supply power intermittently. The team found that keeping the copper cathode at a minimal setting during power cuts prevents damage and allows stable operation for up to 750 hours without performance loss. This approach could lower costs and make carbon conversion more practical for industrial use with variable renewable energy. The study was published in Nature Catalysis and funded by the Gates Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. The next step is to develop more robust catalyst systems for industrial-scale carbon monoxide electrolysis that can handle intermittent renewable electricity reliably.
