Polymer Coating Stabilizes MXene for Enhanced CO2-to-Methane Conversion

A research team led by DGIST’s Professor Su-Il In has developed a photocatalytic technology to stabilize MXene, a nanomaterial prone to degradation when exposed to water. By bonding an organic polymer to the MXene surface and integrating copper nanoparticles, researchers protected the material while maintaining its electrical conductivity for carbon dioxide conversion.

This modified photocatalyst, combined with reduced titanium dioxide, achieved a 200-fold increase in methane production compared to using the semiconductor alone. The findings, published in Advanced Energy Materials, provide a viable pathway for artificial photosynthesis, transforming greenhouse gases into fuel by optimizing electron transfer and reaction efficiency.

Editor's note: The brief accurately summarizes the technical achievement and provides key figures regarding the performance increase.