Graduate student Kang Dong-seong (Master's program, Energy Process Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering; advisor Professor Han Ji-hoon) published research results on carbon dioxide-based sustainable formic acid production, and the paper was published in a leading international journal.

Kang worked with Dr. Byeon Jae-won, a former member of the same laboratory who is currently a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University in the United States, to develop a process design and a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technology aimed at producing CO2-based sustainable formic acid.

The study is expected to greatly assist policy formulation for establishing a CCU (carbon capture and utilization) industry ecosystem by providing an early and accurate assessment of the sustainability of carbon capture and utilization technologies, thereby reducing uncertainties in the sector.

Recognizing the excellence of this research, the paper was published as the cover article in the latest issue of the prestigious journal Green Chemistry (IF = 10.182), which focuses on chemistry and environmental science.

This paper compares Life Cycle Assessment results for formic acid production processes: those producing formic acid converted from fossil fuels versus processes that convert carbon dioxide emitted from power plants into formic acid through catalytic or electrochemical routes.

As a result, the study quantified the environmental impact metrics of the formic acid production processes and proposed optimal feedstocks for utilities (heat and electricity). Through this, it demonstrated the techno-environmental feasibility of domestic electrochemical formic acid production strategies.

Professor Han Ji-hoon, the advisor, stated, 'This study provided an opportunity to confirm the feasibility of environmental assessment for various production pathways of chemicals, including formic acid derived from carbon dioxide. Furthermore, I hope research becomes more active that considers the supply and use of environmentally friendly feedstocks such as biomass, as well as carbon dioxide, in pursuit of carbon neutrality.'