Berkeley chemists develop reusable powder that captures CO2 like a tree

Chemists at UC Berkeley have developed a new powder, COF-999, that captures carbon dioxide from the air, matching the CO2 absorption of a large tree. This powder is reusable and has shown stability after 100 cycles in tests. The powder's design allows it to trap CO2 in microscopic pores and release it when heated. It captures carbon dioxide at a rate at least ten times faster than existing materials and can be ready for industrial use within two years. UC Berkeley has filed a patent for COF-999, which could be used in large-scale carbon capture plants. The researchers aim to improve its capacity further and reduce production costs.