One-step direct fixation of atmospheric CO2 by Si-H surface in solution

The efficient conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into useful chemicals has important practical significance for environmental protection. Until now, direct fixation of atmospheric CO2 needs first extraction from the atmosphere, an energy-intensive process. Silicon (or Si-H surface), Earth-abundant, low-cost and non-toxic, is a promising material for heterogeneous CO2 chemical fixation. Here we report one-step fixing of CO2 directly from the atmosphere to a paraformaldehyde-like polymer by Si-H surface at room temperature. With the assistant of HF, commercial silicon powder was used as a heterogeneous reducing agent, for converting gaseous CO2 to a polymer of fluorine substituted polyoxymethylene and hydroxyl substituted polyoxymethylene alternating copolymer (F-POM). Making use of the Si-H surface towards the fixation of atmospheric gaseous CO2 is a conceptually distinct and commercially interesting strategy for making useful chemicals and environmental protection.