Electrosynthesis of hydrocarbons by electroreduction of carbon dioxide: emphasis on the reaction selectivity to methanol

• Grant number: 06/06672-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2007
• End date: April 30, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Rodnei Bertazzoli
• Grantee: Rodnei Bertazzoli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In order to join the efforts to reduce the greenhouse gases emissions, the development of novel technologies for a larger scale CO2 consume is need. This project aims to develop a technological basis for making CO2 a valuable reactant. A hydrocarbons electrosynthesis process will be developed based on CO2 electroreduction with particular emphasis on reaction selectivity to methanol as a final product. A CO2 gas diffusion electrode will be used with Cu, Ru, Pt catalysts disperse in ZnO or TiO2. Process variables in investigation will be catalysts composition, solution pH, cell potential and CO2 pressure. The analytical monitoring of the reaction will be carried out by GC-MS. (AU)

Filed patent(s) as a result of this research project