Development of catalysts for the direct conversion of CO2 into higher alcohols

• Grant number: 21/13243-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Liane Marcia Rossi
• Grantee: Fagner Rodrigues Todão
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I, AP.PCPE

Abstract

Since the industrial revolution, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere has increased substantially and consequentially life on earth has been adversely affected and undermined. So as to mitigate climate change and to comply with environmental regulations, processes entailing CO2 capture and conversion, which would otherwise be indiscriminately emitted into the atmosphere, have been extensively explored. Nevertheless, the development of efficient and scalable catalytic systems still remains a challenge, especially those aimed at obtaining higher alcohols such as ethanol, which is largely utilised as biofuel locally and globally. The production of ethanol from emissions of CO2 can be deemed a disruptive technology for the energy sector. Moreover, ethanol can be a precursor of several substances of great interest such as 1,3-butadiene which is vastly employed in the production of synthetic rubber, elastomers and polymeric resins. Therefore, this project's objective is to study, enhance and develop catalytic systems for the CO2 conversion into higher alcohols, especially ethanol, and to convert ethanol into 1,3-butadiene. This project will be integrated into the CPE/FAPESP/SHELL BRASIL - Research Centre For Gas Innovation - Fase III - Chamada de Propostas 2020 (Processo 2020/15230-5), thus being part of the project "Desenvolvimento de rotas catalíticas para conversão de CO2 em produtos químicos e monômeros" of the CCU Programme. (AU)