Christophe wrote:I would like to know more about the chemical equations involved because I do not know many air pollutants that have hydrogen atoms to convert?
A little more technical information in today's S&V article: https://www.science-et-vie.com/article/ ... ropre-8778
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For this, they developed a stack consisting of two chambers separated by a membrane. In the first, an anode coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) produces electrons under the effect of light, as in photovoltaic cells. This triggers the degradation of the polluting gases around the electrode and creates protons (H +).
Protons and electrons pass through the membrane and end up in the second chamber, near a lead cathode, which couples them to produce dihydrogen (H2). This one can be stored and used later as fuel, for cars in particular.
Treat the methanol vapors
At present, this system does not treat all pollutants. "We concentrated on methanol vapors. We have also demonstrated the concept with ethanol and acetic acid. We are now extending it to methane and acetaldehyde, "says Sammy Verbruggen of the University of Antwerp.
This stack is still only experimental, and the team still needs to improve its efficiency. But Sammy Verbrugge already dreams of its applications: "I would like to try it in the chimneys of the paint manufacturing plants, where the vapors are heavily loaded with organic solvents."
It is therefore in fact "industrial" pollutants ... and we now know where the H2 comes from ... ultimately much less miraculous than the first announcements (uh, methanol is already a fuel, eh ... )