fbpx ...

Powering Net Zero Commitments

Using Graphene To Fight Climate Change

The war against climate change is one that has been quite difficult, however, one that researchers and scientists are intent on winning. Numerous pushes for clean energy as well as environmentally sustainable practices on a societal, organisational and individual level have caused numerous nations to take serious considerations to reduce their carbon emissions. The US, at the moment currently takes the lead in lowering carbon dioxide output, with an annual decrease of 1.4% recorded over the last 10 years.

Nevertheless, overall global CO2 emissions still rise. 2018, according to NASA, was the 4th warmest year since 1880. This statistic highlights the continuing trend of the earth’s warmest years being the last 5 years. Climate change is something that hangs over the world, however, it is evident that strides have been made to correct this problem. Researchers, in particular, have been investigating numerous nanomaterials as the basis to develop technologies which can combat the effects of climate change. The first among these nanomaterials is graphene.

Graphene is a super-thin layer of graphite and its research has been on the rise over the last 10 years, after having been formally discovered by scientist Konstantin Novoselov and Andre Geim in 2004. It has incredible capabilities; for one, it is a single atomic layer in thickness, however, it is stronger than steel, able to conduct heat better than copper, can conduct electricity better than silicon and has numerous properties that have causes scientist all over to call it “the wonder material.”

Due to its thin design, graphene makes the ideal material to develop membranes for gas and chemical filtration, and its use could result in significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the primary gases responsible for climate change. Graphene is typically impermeable to all standard gases, however, certain researchers have been able to discover a way to use this characteristic to their advantage.

Experiments conducted by graduate students and the engineering faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder demonstrated that graphene membranes can separate gas molecules using ultraviolet light-induced oxidative “etching” to make tiny pores which selectively allowed for sieving of certain gases based on their size. According to the researchers involved, graphene can work efficiently as a membrane because it is durable, and it does not require too much energy to pass molecules through it.

Climate change researchers hope that this discovery could spur the development of other energy-efficient membranes which can be used in scenarios like power plants, where graphene membranes can filter and reduce carbon emissions from exhaust pipes.

Scientists at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum and the Lille University of Science and Technology in France have also developed a nanomaterial which is not only able to filter CO2 but also able to harvest it to be utilised in other areas. This nano-carbon dioxide harvester is constructed from spheres of magnetite and copper-zinc oxide and then wrapped in a graphene oxide membrane to selectively gather carbon dioxide. This harvester then uses sunlight and water to convert the harvested CO2 into methanol which is then used in a variety of purposes such as an antifreeze agent, fuel, or a solvent used to make adhesives, dyes and inks.

Once the obstacles that hamper large-scale production of graphene have been surmounted, the world could have a powerful weapon among its arsenal in the war to save the planet. Graphene’s unique ability to lower carbon emissions and transform it into a fuel source, makes it especially qualified to heal the planet. While there might not be a short term solution to reversing climate change, any advancement that helps tilt the odds in the favour of the planet is definitely worth consideration. As reported by CEOWORLD Magazine 

Share this article on your social networks

Related Posts

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country: Understanding the Global Impact

Greenhouse gas emissions by country: Understanding the global impact. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top greenhouse gas emitting countries, sources of emissions, and efforts being made by countries to reduce emissions through increasing the use of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency.

Read More
GHG Reporting: Understanding and Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting is the process of measuring, reporting, and ultimately reducing an organization’s emissions. In this article, we will explore the basics of GHG reporting including its importance in understanding and reducing emissions, the process of GHG reporting, the standards and protocols available, and the challenges that organisations may face

Read More
5 key takeouts from the new IPCC Climate Report

The most recent 3.675 pages IPCC report has been hailed as the most searing indictment of the planet’s climate predicament. Here are 5 key takeouts.

Read More
Overwhelming majority of Australians look to Brands to make a climate difference

The research, released today at Nine’s State of the Nation Sustainability virtual event, showed that despite everyday Australians making changes to live more sustainably, the majority feel that as a country, we are not doing enough, and brands need to lead the way.

Read More
67% of retail investors now prefer ESG investments

According to new research from behavioural finance experts, Oxford Risk, two out of three retail investors are considering transferring their investments into ESG propositions.

Read More
Massive and rapid swing. 75% of Australian businesses leaders believe world is at climate change tipping point: Deloitte Report

Australian business leaders are becoming a lot more concerned about climate change. This shift is according to a new report and it shows a significant shift in opinion in just 8 months.

Read More
Climate Impact Measurement and Disclosure Growing Quickly Among Businesses

Many of the world’s biggest organisations have begun to share information concerning their carbon footprint in a new move that embraces transparency as organisations are increasingly seeing value in measuring their impact.

Read More
Explosive research for Australian businesses: people are turning down high paying jobs for 1 surprising reason

employed by a company that did not do its part to address climate change.

Read More
Australia Ranks Last Out Of 60 Nations For Climate Crisis Response Policy

Australia’s government policy response to the climate crisis was ranked last in an assessment of 60 nations released at the current global climate summit in Glasgow

Read More