Climate change nanotech she task PDF

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Stage 1 Chemistry

SHE TASK – APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Semester 1

How nanotechnology can help to fight climate change http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/nanotechnologyclimate-change-and-pollution.html

As technology rapidly advances in this modern world, the use of nanotechnology in fighting climate change has become much more acknowledged. (Khullar, 2017). Climate change is the changes of patterns in weather over a long time period, due to the increased levels of CO2 (carbon diocide) in the atmosphere. (Beeatna.ae, 2018).) Because of developments in nanotechnology, there have been increased levels of knowledge and understanding which has allowed nanotechnology to have a part in sustainability. Specifically, by removing carbon dioxide from the air. This task will demonstrate the applications and limitations of forms of nanotechnology which fight climate change via converting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Made up of one carbon atom covalently bonded to two oxygen atoms, CO2 molecules are released in the form of gas through processes such as respiration, volcanic eruptions and the burning of fossil fuels, particularly by vehicles (EPA, 2017). Since the Industrial revolution, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by over 40%, intensifying the ‘greenhouse effect’ in which CO2 acts as a ‘blanket’ and traps the sun's warmth within the Earth’s atmosphere Burning of fossil fuels (EPA, 2017). This increases the temperature of the Earth diagram displaying and has serious negative impacts on people, disrupting food supply, displacing families and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events (Bird, 2005) (The Climate Reality Project [CRP], 2016). ‘Nanotechnology’ refers to technology built through the manipulation of matter on an atomic scale (Rathbun & Heally, 2005). Nanoparticles of metal, such as zinc and copper, used in nanotechnology like the CO2 harvester can exhibit unique behaviours due to their small size (Lukins, etc, 2010). They have a large surface area to volume ratio, making them highly effective catalysts and allowing surface effects such as friction to have greater impact (Lukins etc, 2010). Scientists have created nanotechnology that collects atmospheric CO2 and converts it into a different product, methanol, using solar energy and water. Nanotechnology can readily be reused and is highly efficient. Due to the sunlight needed for this nanotechnology

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Stage 1 Chemistry

SHE TASK – APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Semester 1

to function, it needs to be placed outside to work. Whilst limitations do exist, nanotechnology could contribute to reducing global CO 2 emissions and preventing the effects of climate change from worsening. It illustrates the way in which scientific knowledge and understanding can be used to create technology that contributes to increasing sustainability and reducing the adverse effects of climate change on humanity.

Zinc

Recently, researchers at CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum and the Lille University of Science & Technology have developed a “nanoCO2 harvester” that collects and converts CO2 into methanol, using solar energy and water (Khullar, 2017). The harvester is made of a ball of copper zinc oxide (CuOZn) and magnetite, with a layer of graphene oxide wrapped around it. Like other pieces of nanotechnology, the harvester has a large molecular surface area which allows it to capture CO2 and convert it into methanol with a high level of efficiency (Kumar, etc, 2017). The inclusion of CuOZn in the harvester was due to its effectiveness as a catalyst in converting CO2 to methanol. This detail is supported by recent research conducted by scientists in the US, which found that, as a catalyst, copper zinc oxide produced the “best results” in the context of converting CO2 to methanol (Kumar, etc 2017). Apart from being used as an anti-freeze and a solvent, methanol is also a fuel and can be used to power cars and other engines (Khullar, 2017). Unlike traditional fossil fuels, methanol produces a less harmful gas called nitrous oxide when combusted (Chaffee, 2017). It also doesn’t produce any soot or residue, and quickly biodegrades (Chaffee, 2017). As the demand for fuel only rises, the applications of the CO2 harvester become more practical and feasible in everyday life. This not only promotes the adoption of this technology on a commercial scale, but also attracts investment that may allow for further research and development in this field. As a result of the increasing investment and development of the CO2 harvesting nanotechnology, the significant contribution of CO2 in worsening the effects of climate change may be lessened. However, the limitations of the CO2 harvester also exist. Due to the small size of the nanoparticles in the CO2 harvester, the scientists involved have detected their tendency to “clump up” and become inactive if used for sustained periods of time (Khullar, 2017). Subsequently, this reduces their efficiency in converting CO2 into methanol, due to their reduced surface area. The scientists have also acknowledged the challenge of ensuring the nanoparticles in the CO2 harvester are of a consistent size (Kumar etc, 2017). Furthermore, the methanol produced by the CO2 harvester would sell at a very high price due to the cost of its production, making it

5/3/19

Stage 1 Chemistry

SHE TASK – APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Semester 1

economically unviable (Chaffee, 2017). In addition to this, methanol is significantly less energy-dense than commonly used fossil fuels such as diesel. Thus, a car would travel a shorter distance in a litre of methanol than it would if it used a fuel such as diesel. These limitations impede the feasibility of the CO2 harvester adopted on a commercial scale without first being further developed and refined.

The CO2 harvester, made from magnetite, graphene oxide and the highly effective catalyst, copper zinc oxide, recently produced by scientists has several applications. It can be used as an anti-free or a fuel and simultaneously exists as a solution to combating climate change by reducing the CO2 in the atmosphere. However, this piece of nanotechnology also has its limitations. It has a low energy-density of methanol produced from the CO2 and a high production cost, contributing to its lack of economic viability. There is also a difficulty in arranging consistently sized nanoparticles to build the technology. Additionally, there are issues with the prolonged use of the CO2 harvesters. This all contributed to the unlikeliness of the nanotechnology being adopted at a commercial scale, and therefore its effectiveness in combating climate change is decreased.

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Bibliography Bhavya Khullar, E. (2017). Nanomaterials Could Combat Climate Change and Reduce Pollution. [online] Scientific American. Available at: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nanomaterials-could-combatclimate-change-and-reduce-pollution/ [Accessed 3 Mar. 2019]. EPA, U. (2017). Causes of Climate Change | Climate Change Science | US EPA. [online] 19january2017snapshot.epa.gov. Available at: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-change-science/causesclimate-change_.html [Accessed 3 Mar. 2019]. Beeatna.ae. (2018). Definition of Climate Change. [online] Available at: https://beeatna.ae/en/definition-of-climate-change [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019].

5/3/19

Stage 1 Chemistry

SHE TASK – APPLICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

Semester 1

Bird, J. (2005). How carbon causes global warming. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/jun/19/observerfocus.climatec hange [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019]. CRP, T. (2016). What’s the Difference between Global Warming and Climate Change?. [online] The Climate Reality Project. Available at: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/difference-between-globalwarming-and-climate-change [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019]. Rathburn, L. and Heally, N. (2005). What is Nanotechnology? | National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network. [online] Nnin.org. Available at: https://www.nnin.org/news-events/spotlights/what-nanotechnology [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019]. Lukins, N. (2010). Heinemann chemistry. 1st ed. Port Melbourne, Vic.: Pearson. Kumar, A., Kumar, P., Borkar, R., Bansiwal, A., Labhsetwar, N. and Jain, S. (2017). Metal-organic hybrid: Photoreduction of CO2 using graphitic carbon nitride supported heteroleptic iridium complex under visible light irradiation. 1st ed. Elsevier, pp.371 - 379. AZoM.com. (2017). Research on Converting Carbon Dioxide to Methanol. [online] Available at: https://www.azom.com/news.aspx?newsID=47477 [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019]. Chaffee, I. (2017). Methanol: A planet-friendly energy source?. [online] USC News. Available at: https://news.usc.edu/120187/methanol-the-nextfuel-efficient-renewable-energy-source/ [Accessed 4 Mar. 2019].

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