Such carbon-capture technology, developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, may help limit global warming this century to 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures and fend off the catastrophic effects of global climate change.
The method predicts how strong the bond will be between carbon dioxide and the molecule that traps it, known as a binder. Experts can easily apply this electrochemical diagnosis to any molecule that is chemically inclined to bind with carbon dioxide, allowing researchers to identify suitable molecular candidates with which to capture carbon dioxide from the air.
“The Holy Grail, if you will, is to inch toward being able to use binders that can grab carbon dioxide from the air [around us], not just concentrated sources,” said Oana Luca, assistant professor of chemistry at the university. “Determining the strength of binders allows us to figure out whether the binding will be strong or weak and identify candidates...