Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Title: Intensified catalytic conversion of CO2 into high value chemicals
Abstract:
UKy-CAER is proposing the development of a novel electrochemical catalyst that can be used to directly
convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to high value chemicals such as formic acid. UKy-CAER is working to
develop a lab-scale proof-of-concept technology where a pressurized solution of CO2 dissolved in water
or potassium carbonate can be turned into high value products at high yields. The novelty of this
technology involves using pressurization (up to 3 bar) to increase the equilibrium concentration of CO2 in
solution. This will be combined with a novel copper catalyst immobilized on a carbon xerogel electrode
surface to avoid the use of expensive or rare metals, such as platinum, that limit the economic viability of
similar catalysts. The carbon xerogel electrodes are relatively inexpensive with high conductivity, high
surface area, and high permeability. Carbon xerogel electrodes also can be easily modified to incorporate
and immobilize the catalyst directly onto the surface. This will allow them to be easily incorporated into a
flow-through electrochemical reaction cell thereby increasing the production rate and more easily
enabling future scale-up of the process. UKy-CAER will investigate strategies to maximize the catalyst’s
current density for the production of high value chemicals, including implementation of the carbon
xerogel electrode with surface enhancements and catalyst loading, application of the copper catalyst to a
batch and flow-through cell configuration, and the evaluation of alternative electrolytes. Laboratory-scale
electrochemical cells will be constructed for testing the catalyst with simulated flue gas to evaluate the
impact of contaminants and optimize performance.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 10/1/20 → 3/31/23 |
Funding
- Department of Energy: $999,984.00
Fingerprint
Explore the research topics touched on by this project. These labels are generated based on the underlying awards/grants. Together they form a unique fingerprint.