Synthesis, characterization, and application of metal phosphide films for CO2 reduction

• Grant number: 20/11756-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2020
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Anelisse Brunca da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/15742-1 - New approach for Haber-Bosch process and urea synthesis using coupled electrochemical devices, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The continuous and excessive emission of CO2 to the atmosphere and the intensification of environmental impacts associated with the imbalance of the natural carbon cycle, highlights the necessity to develop technologies for the capture and recycling of this gas. One strategy is to convert CO2 into fuels and /or relevant feedstocks for the chemical industry. Among the different existing methodologies, electrochemical reduction, stands out for operating in mild conditions and enabling integration with renewable sources of electric energy. However, the low selectivity of catalysts for carbonaceous products and the strong competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction, limits the energy conversion efficiency, requiring the development of efficient electrocatalysts. The use of electrocatalysts based on transition metal phosphide (TMP) has attracted attention in the literature due its to good conductivity, easy preparation and high stability. However, few studies have investigated the catalytic activity and selectivity for CO2 reduction and the relationship with the physical-chemical and electronic properties of TMP. In this context, the present project proposes the development of electrocatalysts based on metallic phosphide with abundant metals (Ni, Fe, Cu and Mo), aiming to evaluate the influence of the synthesis method (electrodeposition and microwave), as well as, the combination of different metallic species in selectivity and catalytic activity for the CO2 reduction reaction.