Conventional CO₂ reduction strategies have focused on emissions control through energy reduction. However, in recent years CO₂ absorbent materials that recover gases after emission have also attracted attention. Murata is also currently involved in the development of such promising CO₂ reduction technologies, focusing on highly functional materials that can absorb approximately 100 times their own volume of carbon dioxide.

Murata has been researching effective uses for the ceramic waste materials generated by its existing capacitor production processes. In 2005, we invented efficient CO₂ absorption and desorption functions at high temperatures in barium orthotitanate (Ba₂TiO₄) synthesized using barium titanate, which is a raw material for one of the Company's major products, ceramic capacitors. Since 2006, we have been developing experimental prototypes in collaboration with a CO₂ recovery equipment manufacturer and are currently conducting evaluation tests.

Barium orthotitanate is characterized by stable performance at high temperatures and durability against sustained usage. It can be used at temperatures exceeding 900°C, well outside the ranges allowed by conventional absorbent materials (100-200°C), which eliminates the need for cooling CO₂ prior to recovery. Accordingly, this substance has potential applications with such high-volume, high-temperature CO₂ producers as power generation plants and iron and steel works.

If applied to removing high-temperature CO₂ generated in the hydrogen gas fuel production process for fuel cells, it will facilitate generation of 98% concentration hydrogen.

Furthermore, as the CO₂ is recovered at a high temperature, it can easily be used as a material to synthesize other useful substances.

Barium orthotitanate, as a CO₂-capturing ceramic, assists the recycling of waste materials from the capacitor production process, helping to prevent global warming. In addition, it can supply other production processes with CO₂, rendering it a multipurpose, highly functional material.