New nanomaterial developed for reducing CO2 emissions from coal stations

Australian researchers have developed a new nano-material which can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power stations.

University of Adelaide researchers have developed a new nano-material that could help separate the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from nitrogen. This would allow the carbon dioxide to be separated before being stored, rather than released to the atmosphere.

Associate Professor Christopher Sumby, the project leader, said that most of Australia’s energy generation still comes from coal and changing to cleaner energies is great step.

The researchers have produced a new absorbent material, called a ‘metal-organic framework’, which has remarkable selectivity for separating CO2 from nitrogen.