Mitsubishi Electric and Tokyo Science Tokyo Succeed in Accelerating CO2 Reduction Reaction Model via Chemical Looping

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, in collaboration with the Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo), has successfully constructed a high-speed CO2 reduction reaction model using the chemical looping method. Chemical looping is a process that repeatedly performs reduction and oxidation reactions separately, converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO) via an oxygen carrier. Leveraging these results, the partners aim to achieve high-efficiency carbon recycling.

With expectations rising for Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology to help achieve the Japanese government's 2050 Carbon Neutrality goal, the two organizations have been conducting verification tests since February 2025. In conventional methods, the activity of metal surfaces such as iron declines due to oxidation, requiring the addition of expensive minerals like rare earths to maintain reaction rates. This posed risks regarding costs and resource procurement.

To address this, the partners focused on how the carrier participates in the reaction. Using materials science expertise from Science Tokyo, they applied Iron-substituted Calcium Titanate (CTFO) as the carrier. This innovation improved the CO2 reduction reaction rate by 1.8 times at 800°C compared to conventional methods without using rare earths. This allows for smaller equipment and reduced facility costs.

Moving forward, the partners will resolve issues for social implementation through further verification, establish mass production technology, and enhance the performance of oxygen carrier particles. They aim for the social implementation of the CCU system by fiscal 2029.