{"id":88819,"date":"2025-03-13T16:21:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T16:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/?p=88819"},"modified":"2025-05-15T13:33:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T12:33:26","slug":"cardiff-scientists-accidental-discovery-could-revolutionize-chemical-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/science-environment\/cardiff-scientists-accidental-discovery-could-revolutionize-chemical-industry","title":{"rendered":"Cardiff scientists\u2019 accidental discovery could revolutionize chemical industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cardiff researchers have stumbled upon a way to produce crucial acid in a sustainable way. How will this impact the fight against climate change? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88832\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-1--293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graham Hutchings, a Cardiff University scientist is instrumental in the scientific breakthrough of producing acetic acid without generating carbon di oxide. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine a world where the chemicals in your clothes, cleaning products, and food preservatives are no longer derived from fossil fuels but from sustainable sources instead. That world might be closer than you think, thanks to a chance discovery by researchers in Cardiff and Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While experimenting with a new compound to produce hydrogen without generating harmful CO2 emissions, scientists from Cardiff University and Peking University, China, stumbled upon something unexpected: a method to produce millions of tons of a crucial acid compound in a way that could revolutionize the chemical industry, which is responsible for 6% of global CO2 emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The joint research was led by Regius Professor of Chemistry Graham Hutchings from Cardiff University and Professor Ding Ma from Peking University in Beijing, China. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEvery year, 12 million tons of acetic acid are produced globally using fossil carbon sources,\u201d said Hutchings. \u201cIf this process becomes fully functional, it could help reduce the chemical industry\u2019s reliance on fossil fuels and support the goal of net-zero carbon production.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The discovery was made while researchers were testing a new catalyst &#8211; a chemical compound that speeds up a reaction, to produce hydrogen without generating CO2, a major contributor to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-614x1536.jpg 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-293x733.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-120x300.jpg 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-770x1925.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-614x1536.jpg 614w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/acetic-acid-293x733.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Professor Hutchings, the original goal was to produce hydrogen without CO2 emissions. However, the process unexpectedly produced acetic acid, the same type of organic acid found in vinegar, broadening the focus toward creating this valuable chemical in a sustainable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hutchings highlighted the broader impact of this discovery on the chemical industry. \u201cThe industry cannot be completely decarbonized since over 100,000 daily-use chemicals contain carbon,\u201d said Hutchings. \u201cBut we can reduce our dependence on fossil-based sources like natural gas, oil, and coal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He further explained that CO2 acts as a building block for many chemicals. Hydrogen is needed to produce CO2 based chemicals, but current hydrogen production methods rely on fossil fuels, contributing to emissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, hydrogen is produced using methane through a process called steam reforming, which releases carbon monoxide (CO) and CO2 as by-products. The researchers replaced methane with ethanol sourced from biowaste, such as sugar crops. While this method produced hydrogen, it also generated CO2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), approximately 96% of global hydrogen production relies on fossil fuels, emitting 9-12 tons of CO2 per ton of hydrogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2-.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-88834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/graham-2--293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A chemical factory. Representative image sourced from the internet. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo eliminate CO2 production, we created a new catalyst,\u201d said Hutchings. \u201cIt combines platinum and iridium nanoparticles supported on molybdenum carbide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over a decade of research with metal-carbide catalysts for hydrogen production led to an unexpected outcome. \u201cThe reaction not only stopped CO2 production but also created acetic acid as a by-product,\u201d said Hutchings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the researchers noted that the new process faces challenges. \u201cWe need hundreds of millions of tons of hydrogen to meet global demand, but this method currently produces only a few million tons,\u201d said Hutchings. \u201cOur immediate focus is on producing acetic acid, which could replace the current methane-based process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acetic acid is a high-value organic compound widely used in the chemical industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research paper, entitled <em>\u201cThermal catalytic reforming for hydrogen production with zero CO2 emission,\u201d<\/em> was published in the journal <em>Science.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-90850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-770x434.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/intercardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2025\/03\/andy-kogl-uhaYQSVCjo0-unsplash-2-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Apart from vinegar, everyday products such as raincoats are made from acetic acid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Hutchings acknowledged that implementing this discovery at industrial scale will take time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His experience with a similar discovery involving PVC production provides useful insight. Earlier mercury was widely used as a catalyst to produce vinyl chloride, the building block of PVC, a compound whose usage ranges from pipes to clothes. Although Mercury is a toxic substance and is linked to birth defects and diseases like the Minamata disease, it\u2019s importance for the PVC production ensured its continued usage. &nbsp;Things changed when Hutching\u2019s research led to the development and usage of gold catalyst instead of mercury, leading to major industry reforms, but the change took years. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI made the discovery in the 1980s, but it wasn\u2019t fully commercialized until 2015,\u201d said Hutchings. \u201cIt took decades for the industry to adopt the change.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>China, which once used 60% of global mercury production for PVC manufacturing, adopted Hutchings&#8217; process, along with signing the Minamata Convention in 2013, which was ratified in 2016&nbsp;and became international law in 2017. The treaty aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hutchings chaired a policy briefing for the Royal Society last year on \u2018Defossilising the Chemical Industry.\u2019 He believes that this new discovery could play a key role in reducing the industry\u2019s dependence on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, with this new breakthrough, Hutchings is prepared for a similarly lengthy process before any change happens. \u201cBy publishing our findings, we hope to encourage the industry to collaborate with us,\u201d he said. \u201cAs scientists, our role is to make discoveries and show new paths forward. It\u2019s up to the industry to adopt and commercialize these ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How will Cardiff scientists&#8217; unexpected discovery to produce a crucial acid in a sustainable way help in the fight against climate change?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1222,"featured_media":88832,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[110,1104],"coauthors":[1296],"class_list":["post-88819","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-environment","tag-cardiff-university","tag-science"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cardiff scientists\u2019 accidental discovery could revolutionize chemical industry - InterCardiff<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cardiff researchers have unexpectedly discovered a way to produce millions of tons of crucial acid in a sustainable way. 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