University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

CO2 to make Carbon-based Semiconductor - Michigan Technological University

Objective/theme

A materials scientist has discovered a chemical reaction that not only eats up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, it also creates something useful. And, by the way, it releases energy.

Process & benefits

A heat-releasing reaction between carbon dioxide and Li3N that forms two chemicals: amorphous carbon nitride (C3N4), a semiconductor; and lithium cyanamide (Li2CN2), a precursor to fertilizers.

The reaction converts CO2 to a solid material. That would be good even if it weren’t useful, but it is.

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