Belfast researcher develops method using dirty aluminum foil as biofuel catalyst

In the UK, a researcher at Queen’s University Belfast has discovered a way to convert dirty aluminum foil into a biofuel catalyst, which could help to solve global waste and energy problems.

The researcher worked with engineers at the university to create an innovative crystallization method, which obtains 100% pure single crystals of aluminum salts from the contaminated foil. This is the starting material for the preparation of alumina catalyst.

Usually, to produce this type of alumina it would have to come from bauxite ore, which is mined in countries such as West Africa, the West Indies and Australia, causing huge environmental damage.