Scientists from the University of Cambridge have published a study in the scientific journal Nature demonstrating a solar-powered reactor capable of recycling plastic and pollutant gas. According to the results, the reactor is 100 times more powerful than other models and uses perovskite solar cells.

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According to the researchers, this is the first reactor capable of simultaneously converting CO2 and plastic waste. The reactor, built by researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Chemistry, uses Perovskite solar cell in its composition. The mineral calcium and titanium oxide is considered promising for building the solar cells of the future.

How a solar powered reactor works

The reactor is able to convert CO2 and plastic waste into different compartments. The energy captured by the perovskite solar cell activates the copper-palladium catalyst and is able to convert PET bottles into glycolic acid and CO2 into carbon monoxide. Both reactor by-products have more interesting industrial uses, such as glycolic acid, which can be used as a chemical by skin care companies.

So far, the results of the study show the potential of a solar-powered reactor to convert elements harmful to the environment into reusable by-products. Converting CO2 requires a lot of energy, but a perovskite-powered reactor has a high potential to efficiently convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, according to Motiar Rahaman, professor of chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

Erwin Reisner, also a professor of chemistry at the University of Cambridge, said the main goal of the study is to show the reactor’s ability to turn waste into useful elements using solar energy. It will be interesting to see how the reactor created by scientists will help protect the environment.

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Source: Click Petroleo e Gas, Nature

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