Scientists in the United Kingdom have discovered a new porous material that has the potential to store large quantities of greenhouse gases, offering a new tool in the fight against climate change. The material was developed using computational models and detailed in a paper published in Nature Synthesis. Researchers believe that certain features of the structure make it an excellent storage option for carbon dioxide and sulphur hexafluoride, both potent greenhouse gases.
Engineering professor Marc Little from Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt University expressed excitement about the discovery, noting that new porous materials are needed to address major societal challenges. The new material resembles a cage made up of smaller molecules and is an organic supermolecule composed of oxygen, nitrogen, and fluorine. Little explained that while planting trees can absorb carbon, it is a slow process, so there is a need for human-made molecules to capture greenhouse gases more efficiently.
This discovery comes as researchers continue to explore other options for capturing carbon. Two-dimensional structures made from boron, with a large surface area, could potentially absorb greenhouse gases from power plants. Additionally, concrete, a significant emitter of carbon dioxide, is being explored for its potential in absorbing greenhouse gases. However, one challenge is transitioning these lab experiments into practical solutions that can be implemented on a larger scale.
Scaling up these new materials and technologies to have a meaningful impact on climate change remains a complex challenge. Scientists like Marc Little are working to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world applications. By addressing these challenges, new materials and strategies could play a critical role in combating climate change in the future.