Sponge-Like Plastic To Soak Up CO2, Reduce Pollution
LONDON: Scientists have developed a sponge-like plastic that sops up carbon dioxide (CO2) and might ease our transition away from polluting fossil fuels and towards new energy sources, such as hydrogen.
The material - a relative of the plastics used in food containers - could play a role in cutting CO2 emissions, and could also be integrated into power plant smokestacks in the future.
"The key point is that this polymer is stable, it's cheap, and it adsorbs CO2 extremely well. It's geared towards function in a real-world environment," said Andrew Cooper from the University of Liverpool in UK.
"In a future landscape where fuel-cell technology is used, this adsorbent could work toward zero-emission technology," said Cooper.
CO2 adsorbents are most commonly used to remove the greenhouse gas pollutant from smokestacks at power plants where fossil fuels like coal or gas are burned.
However, Cooper and his team intend the adsorbent, a microporous organic polymer, for a different application - one that could lead to reduced pollution.
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