Utilization of Greenhouse Gases
We are interested in the use of the two most harmful greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide (GWP 1) and methane (GWP 28). This is also related to the C1 chemistry described in Energy section. Among the various related technologies, DRM has been extensively studied as an environmentally benign technology due to the simultaneous conversion of the two most harmful greenhouse gases. Also, it produces syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen) which is used as valuable chemical building blocks for the synthesis of methanol, dimethyl ether, hydrocarbons, etc. The lower H2/CO ratio (≤ 1) of syngas obtained by DRM is especially suitable for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to produce long-chain hydrocarbons.
Removal of Particulate Matters
We are interested in the reduction of particulate matters, one of the major environmental issues in the whole word, as well as in Korea. As a representative precursor of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals with low boiling points and high vapor pressures (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, etc.). These features allow the VOCs to evaporate easily and diffuse into the atmosphere. While VOCs are usually emitted from stationary industries, unlike other pollutants, significant amounts of VOCs are also produced by daily life activities such as applying make-up, paper printing, painting, cooking, etc. In our lab, we design and synthesize the nanoporous materials with non-PGM metals, which exhibit high activity for VOCs adsorption and oxidation.
Capture and Immobilization of Radioactive Isotopes
We are focusing on developing new materials that can efficiently adsorb and immobilize radioactive elements. In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in 2011, various radioactive elements were released into the environment, raising the public awareness of their danger. For example, radioiodine is a representative radioactive element, which causes human thyroid cancer. When a severe nuclear accident occurs, radioiodine can be released into the atmosphere in the form of organic iodides like methyl iodide, which accounts for the largest proportion of such radioactive iodide compounds. To selectively remove the highly volatile methyl iodide contained in the gases released from a nuclear accident, dry filtration systems using adsorbents like zeolites can be effectively used to capture methyl iodide and immobile it within the adsorbents.
