A team of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) has taken a significant step in the fight against climate change. By developing ultra-thin graphene membranes, they propose an innovative solution for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
The innovation behind graphene membranes
The membranes created by the EPFL team are made from graphene, an atomic-thick material made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern. Graphene is known for its exceptional properties:
- High mechanical strength (stronger than steel).
- Selective permeability, allowing gas molecules to be separated with extreme precision.
- Chemical durability, making them ideal for use in industrial environments.
Researchers have designed these membranes to allow smaller molecules, such as nitrogen, to pass through while retaining CO2 molecules. This makes them highly effective for use in industrial carbon capture and storage (CCS) processes.
Revolutionary CO2 capture efficiency
Graphene membranes developed at EPFL are up to ten times more efficient than conventional gas separation technologies, according to the researchers. “This is a solution that could significantly reduce the cost and energy required to capture CO2 in industrial processes,” said a representative of the team. Another major advantage is reducing the energy footprint of the process. While current separation methods often involve high temperatures or chemicals, graphene membranes operate under milder conditions, reducing the environmental impact.
Potential impact on industry
Graphene membranes can be used in several industrial fields, including:
- Capture CO2 from thermal power plants, helping to reduce massive greenhouse gas emissions.
- Purifying industrial gases, increasing the efficiency of production processes.
- Storing and reusing carbon by converting it into useful materials such as synthetic fuels or chemicals.
This technology could be an essential tool for reaching global carbon reduction targets and supporting the transition to a greener economy.
Hope for the future
“Graphene membranes represent not only a technological breakthrough, but also an opportunity to change the current course of the climate crisis,” added a member of the EPFL team. The researchers are confident that this technology can be scaled up and implemented on an industrial scale in the near future.