Scientists managed to convert carbon dioxide into ethanol by chance

The team of scientists at the US Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory managed directly convert carbon dioxide into ethanol by chance. To form the ethanol, the researchers added a carbon nanospikes and copper to carbon dioxide.

Scientists just accidentally discovered a process that turns CO2 directly into ethanol. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fYeYi)

Ethanol is a type of alcohol found in the hand sanitizers and some beverages. Ethanol can also be converted into fuel. Gasoline in Brazil, for example, contains 25 percent ethanol.

"We found it by accident. We tried to learn the first steps in reaction initially proposed, when we realize that the whole reaction catalyst conduct by themselves," said study lead author, Adam Rondinone.

Close up of the carbon nanospikes. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fYeYi)

Actually, the team's experiment is part of a long-term research project investigating how to convert carbon dioxide into ethanol. The researchers think, the process will require several steps and complex chemical reactions, but it is far easier than they imagined. They just need to add a single catalyst (copper) to convert carbon dioxide into ethanol.

These findings is a major breakthrough, given that carbon dioxide is the primary actor in contributing to climate change, can be converted into fuel.

Until now, not yet known whether this technology will be mass produced. If the cost is affordable and widely available, so this technology has the potential to become a producer of environmentally friendly alternative energy. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | IFLSCIENCE]

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