Catalyst mimics photosynthesis to turn CO2 into clean industrial fuel

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a novel catalyst inspired by photosynthesis that converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into formate, a valuable industrial chemical, using only light, protons, and electrons. This ruthenium-based catalyst mimics the natural process of photosynthesis by storing solar energy in chemical bonds through proton and electron transfers triggered by light. The innovation addresses the urgent need to reduce atmospheric CO2 by not only capturing it but also transforming it into useful compounds for fuels, pharmaceuticals, and antimicrobial products. The team redesigned the catalyst’s structure by surrounding the metal center with ligand “petals,” shifting the chemical activity from the metal to the ligands. This approach prevents CO2 from binding directly to the metal, which traditionally leads to side reactions and catalyst degradation. As a result, the process selectively produces formate without generating competing byproducts like hydrogen or carbon monoxide. Additionally, this ligand-based mechanism allows for flexibility in the choice of the central metal; while ruthenium was used