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A Ne w Dawn f or Sus t ainable Ener g y:
A New Dawn for Sustainable Energy:
T urning C O2 int o Pr op ane
Turning CO2 into Propane

A conventional wisdom. While traditional approaches

recent leap in chemical innovation emerg-
The researchers at ITT have transcended
es as a beacon of progress for the pro-
explored metal oxide-based catalysts for CO2 con-
pane industry. Spearheaded by visionary
researchers at the Illinois Institute of
blocks, including catalyst deactivation and a lack of
Technology (ITT), this breakthrough ushers in an era version, these endeavors often stumbled upon road-
that promises to amplify the already remarkable selectivity, or the ability to narrow production to
contributions of the propane industry to the global a single molecule, such as propane. ITT’s brilliant
energy landscape. approach embraces an unconventional methodolo-
At the heart of this transformation lies the gy grounded in the utilization of economically viable
innovative capacity to harness carbon dioxide (CO2) materials. This innovative strategy, coupled with a
and transmute it into propane—a milestone that shift to continuous processing, enhances efficiency
has eluded the scientific community for years. This and opens the doors to scalability—an indispens-
watershed discovery embodies the spirit of ingenu- able facet of any solution aiming to reshape entire
ity that is required to navigate the complex web of industries.
energy production and environmental sustainability. The Catalyst for Change: Molybdenum, Phospho-
Amid the imperative to combat climate rus, and Carbon
change and transition to sustainable energy, the Central to the transformational process are
goal to convert CO2 into larger, valuable molecules the precisely engineered particles constructed from
such as propane takes center stage. This pursuit molybdenum (Mo), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C).
aligns with the global mission to reduce CO2 emis- This triad of elements forms the backbone upon
sions and catalyze a shift towards sustainable ener- which the conversion of CO2 into propane rests.
gy sources. For decades, scientists have been on a However, the complexity doesn't stop there. The
quest to unlock the secrets of CO2 conversion, and incorporation of imidazolium-based ionic liquids
ITT's breakthrough is a monumental leap towards introduces a layer of intricacy that amplifies the
realizing this vision. selectivity of the catalytic process. This strategic

32 Alabama Propane Gas Association | September / October 2023