Water sun and carbon dioxide. That’s practically all plants need for photosynthesis. Since this question saved my grade in science class in about fourth grade in elementary school, I will remember the facts about this process for the rest of my life. But what if I told you that water, sunlight and CO2 are the only things Chinese experts say are needed to make gasoline?

CO2 is now a by-product of the harmful processes of most modern industrial companies. In the small concentrations in which it is found in the air, it does not endanger us, but in larger quantities it causes health problems. But what if this gas could be harnessed to make petrol, using only the sun and water?

A Chinese study

A recent study in China looked at the possibility of using sunlight and water to create a usable fuel from CO2. This approach combines climate protection with industrial practice. It is called artificial photosynthesis and has been widely discussed in the past. However, the technology was not sufficiently advanced at the time to make such a thing possible.

“Solar carbon dioxide reduction mimics natural photosynthesis by using sunlight to convert water and CO₂ into chemicals, allowing the sun’s energy to be stored in energy-dense molecules for on-demand use. With the accelerated advancement of solar CO₂-to-chemicals conversion technologies, this approach is a promising contribution to realizing a zero-carbon society,” say Qian Wang and Chanon Pornrungroj, professors in materials science and chemical engineering.

The production of gasoline using water, sunlight and CO2 has been theorised before. But science has advanced. Is such a thing really possible now? ━━ The production of gasoline using water, sunlight and CO2 has been theorised before. But science has advanced. Is such a thing really possible now? ( Source: engin akyurt /  Unsplash+ )

It is still a theoretical concept

The aim of the project is to take CO₂ from the air and water and use the sun’s energy to make something that can be used as a fuel, such as methanol, ethanol or other chemicals that can power cars, factories or generators. A Chinese study investigated new photocatalytic materials that are more efficient than old technologies.

Although it may be theoretically possible to actually implement something like this today, it is still only a concept that needs further investigation. But even on this basis, experts believe that a substance we perceive as negative could one day serve humanity in a very positive light.