Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a new process that turns carbon dioxide and industrial waste into green hydrogen and a useful mineral called calcite. The new method also lowers the energy needed to produce hydrogen, making clean fuel cheaper and more practical.
The research was led by Dr. Tomaz Neves-Garcia, a postdoctoral researcher in chemistry and biochemistry at The Ohio State University, with Professor Robert Baker as the senior author. The study was published in ACS Energy Letters. According to Ohio State News, the team used industrial waste such as steel slag and coal ash to capture carbon dioxide and create valuable products.
The new process addresses two environmental problems at the same time. Industries release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and they also produce waste materials like steel slag and coal ash. Instead of treating these as waste, the researchers found a way to turn both into useful resources.
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The process captures carbon dioxide by reacting it with industrial waste. This reaction permanently converts the carbon dioxide into high-purity calcite, a mineral used in construction, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. The chemical reaction also reduces the energy needed for water electrolysis, the process used to produce green hydrogen.
The technology could make green hydrogen much more affordable. According to the study, the value of the calcite produced alongside the hydrogen could reduce production costs to less than $1 per kilogram. The researchers also estimate that widespread use of the process could prevent about 500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
The technology is still in the research stage. Larger-scale testing is needed before industries can adopt the process. Researchers must also confirm how well it performs in real industrial settings and whether it can be integrated into existing hydrogen production systems.
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The study shows that climate solutions can also create economic value. According to The Ohio State University, the process could help industries reduce emissions, recycle waste, and produce clean hydrogen at lower cost. If successfully scaled, it may support cleaner manufacturing and expand the use of renewable hydrogen worldwide.
According to Ohio State News, the research highlights a new way to treat carbon dioxide as a valuable resource instead of a waste product. The work could support future efforts to reduce emissions while producing clean energy and industrial materials.
