IIT Guwahati breakthrough turns CO₂ into Fuel using sunlight

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed a novel photocatalytic material capable of converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methanol fuel using sunlight , a breakthrough that could contribute to cleaner energy solutions and carbon emission mitigation.

The research, published in the Journal of Materials Science, addresses one of the most pressing global challenges meeting rising energy demands without exacerbating environmental damage. Methanol, a versatile fuel and industrial feedstock, is widely used in transportation, power generation, and chemical manufacturing.

“The dependence on petroleum-based fuels continues to be a major source of carbon dioxide emissions, leading to environmental stress and global warming. Our work focuses on designing photocatalytic methods to convert CO₂ into cleaner fuels using solar energy,” said Prof. Mahuya De of the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

Globally, scientists have been exploring the use of graphitic carbon nitride, a low-cost, metal-free and non-toxic material for CO₂ conversion. However, its practical application has been limited by rapid energy loss and low fuel yield. To overcome these challenges, the IIT Guwahati team combined graphitic carbon nitride with few-layer graphene, an ultra-thin carbon material known for its excellent electrical conductivity and energy transfer properties.

According to the researchers, the incorporation of graphene significantly reduced energy loss within the catalyst, allowing it to remain active for longer durations under visible light and natural sunlight. This led to improved light absorption, enhanced charge generation, and higher methanol output.

Among the various compositions tested, the catalyst containing 15 per cent graphene demonstrated the highest efficiency in converting CO₂ into methanol, while also showing strong stability, a critical factor for real-world deployment.

“The present work is expected to contribute towards mitigating environmental problems while simultaneously supporting green energy generation. Converting carbon dioxide into greener fuel using solar energy is a promising direction,” Prof. De said.

While the technology is still at the laboratory stage, experts note that its reliance on abundant sunlight, non-toxic materials, and relatively low-cost components improves its feasibility for future commercialisation. However, large-scale deployment would require further optimisation to increase fuel output and ensure economic competitiveness with conventional fossil fuels.

At present, the technology is unlikely to fully replace traditional energy sources on its own. Instead, researchers view it as a complementary solution that can help decarbonise energy-intensive industries by converting captured CO₂ emissions into usable fuel. If successfully scaled, such systems could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support circular carbon economies.

“The technology holds potential for use in industries such as thermal power plants, cement manufacturing units, steel production facilities, and petrochemical refineries,” Prof. De said. “It can help convert industrial CO₂ emissions into valuable fuels rather than releasing them into the atmosphere.”

As the next step, the research team plans to scale up the process and develop a long-lasting photocatalytic system capable of operating continuously under industrial conditions. If achieved, the innovation could play a meaningful role in India’s clean energy transition and global efforts to combat climate change.