Architectures based on metal phosphides and nitrides for photo(electro)chemical conversion of CO2 into C2+ compounds

• Grant number: 22/10255-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Lucia Helena Mascaro Sales
• Grantee: Gelson Tiago dos Santos Tavares 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): 23/10268-2 - Developing metal phosphide catalysts for selective and high-rate CO2 electroreduction, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The production of long-chain organic compounds (C2+) from the utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as feedstock via the photoelectrochemical (PEC) route represents a promising approach from the point of view of reactions driven by renewable sources toward zero net carbon emission. However, this technology has obstacles, such as the lack of catalysts capable of efficiently absorbing solar radiation or maintaining charge transfer. An attractive approach to circumvent this problem is the development of nanostructures based on metal nitrides and phosphides as catalytic agents for the reactions to convert CO2 into C2+ products. Copper and nickel nitrides and phosphides have been shown to be able to drive these reactions efficiently, producing hydrocarbons and alcohols by electrochemical routes. However, the potential of these catalysts in photoelectrochemical reactions has not yet been fully explored, and knowledge gaps regarding the reaction mechanism, conversion efficiency and selectivity still need to be filled. (AU)

Scientific publications

(18)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SILVA, RICARDO MARQUES E; DIAS, EDUARDO HENRIQUE; ESCALONA-DURAN, FLORYMAR; DA SILVA, GELSON TIAGO DOS SANTOS TAVARES; ALNOUSH, WAJDI; DE OLIVEIRA, JESSICA ARIANE; HIGGINS, DREW; RIBEIRO, CAUE. Unveiling BiVO₄ photoelectrocatalytic potential for CO₂ reduction at ambient temperature. MATERIALS ADVANCES, v. 5, n. 11, p. 8-pg., 2024-04-16. (18/01258-5, 20/09628-6, 19/10689-2, 22/05149-1, 22/10255-5, 19/21496-0, 21/13065-0)

DE ALMEIDA, JESSICA C.; RODRIGUES, THAIS APARECIDA; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; RIBEIRO, CAUE; DE MENDONCA, VAGNER R.. Unveiling the influence of alkaline modifiers in CuO synthesis on its photocatalytic activity for CO₂ reduction. MATERIALS ADVANCES, v. 5, n. 16, p. 10-pg., 2024-07-12. (18/01258-5, 22/10255-5)

MARRENJO, GONCALVES J.; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; MUNOZ, RODRIGO A. A.; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; LOPES, OSMANDO F.. Modification of ZnO gas-diffusion-electrodes for enhanced electrochemical CO₂ reduction: optimization of operational conditions and mechanism investigation. MATERIALS ADVANCES, v. 5, n. 23, p. 12-pg., 2024-10-18. (13/07296-2, 17/11986-5, 22/10255-5)

DOS REIS, EDUARDO ARIZONO; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; RIBEIRO, CAUE. K⁺ selectivity modulation in non-aqueous CO₂ electroreduction on lead catalysts: from oxalic to tartaric acid production. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A, v. 12, n. 26, p. 8-pg., 2024-05-21. (18/01258-5, 22/10255-5)

DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; LOPES, OSMANDO F.; CATTO, ARIADNE C.; PATROCINIO, ANTONIO OTAVIO T.; MESQUITA, ALEXANDRE; RIBEIRO, CAUE; AVANSI JR, WALDIR; DA SILVA, LUIS F.. Long-and short-range structure of SnO2 nanoparticles: Synthesis and photo (electro)catalytic activity. Materials Chemistry and Physics, v. 305, p. 9-pg., 2023-06-01. (21/12684-8, 22/10255-5, 22/02927-3, 18/18208-0, 13/07296-2)

STAMATELOS, ILIAS; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; RIBEIRO, CAUE; SHVIRO, MEITAL. Exploring Heterostructures of D-Block Metal Oxides Coupled to ZnO for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS, v. 6, n. 22, p. 11-pg., 2023-11-14. (13/07296-2, 18/01258-5, 22/10255-5)

LEITE, ALLEF; MARQUES E SILVA, RICARDO; DE SOUZA, FELIPE GUIMARA; DA SILVA, GELSON TIAGO DOS SANTOS TAVARES; AQUINO, JOSE MARIO; ROVEDA JUNIOR, ANTONIO CARLOS; CARDOSO, DANIEL RODRIGUES; AZEVEDO, EDUARDO BESSA; DE SOUZA, FERNANDA LOURDES; RIBEIRO, CAUE. Enhancing visible light photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A with g-C3N4:Nb2O5 heterojunction. Applied Surface Science, v. 711, p. 10-pg., 2025-12-01. (13/07296-2, 24/20216-2, 24/02379-1, 20/09628-6, 18/01258-5, 23/08424-6, 17/11986-5, 22/10255-5)

MARQUES E SILVA, RICARDO; DIAS, EDUARDO HENRIQUE; DA SILVA, MARCOS AUGUSTO RIBEIRO; MITSUYUKI, MILENE CORSO; DE OLIVEIRA, JESSICA ARIANE; DA SILVA, GELSON TIAGO DOS SANTOS TAVARES; DA CRUZ, JEAN CASTRO; RIBEIRO, CAUE. A meta-analysis approach to reveal the consensual points in the development of materials for photocatalytic methane reform to methanol. CATALYSIS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 14-pg., 2025-06-04. (21/13271-9, 18/01258-5, 22/10255-5, 22/16560-4, 17/11986-5, 23/10268-2, 19/21496-0, 19/10689-2)

RAJA, SEBASTIAN; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; REIS, EDUARDO A.; DA CRUZ, JEAN C.; SILVA, ANELISSE BRUNCA; ANDRADE, MARCELO B.; PERIYASAMI, GOVINDASAMI; KARTHIKEYAN, PERUMAL; PEREPICHKA, IGOR F.; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA; et al. Perylenediimide-Incorporated Covalent Triazine Framework: A Highly Conductive Carbon Support for Copper Single-Atom Catalysts in Electrocatalytic CO₂ Conversion. ENERGY & FUELS, v. 37, n. 23, p. 11-pg., 2023-12-07. (13/07296-2, 17/11986-5, 22/10255-5)

KHIARAK, BEHNAM NOURMOHAMMADI; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; LAI, HUNG D. T.; ESMAEILI, HOSSEIN; NGUYEN, ANH N.; DINH, KHAC-HUY; ZHANG, QIAN; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Integrated Carbon Dioxide Capture and Electrochemical Conversion: Chemistry, Electrode and Electrolyzer Design, and Economic Viability. ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS, v. N/A, p. 39-pg., 2025-10-14. (21/12394-0, 13/07296-2, 23/10268-2, 22/10255-5)

DA CRUZ, JEAN C.; E SILVA, RICARDO M.; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; RIBEIRO, CAUE. Recycling spent batteries to green innovation: a CuCo-based composite as an electrocatalyst for CO₂ reduction. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS, v. 8, n. 14, p. 9-pg., 2024-05-24. (18/01258-5, 13/07296-2, 20/09628-6, 17/11986-5, 22/10255-5)

MARQUES E SILVA, RICARDO; SOUZA, FERNANDA DE LOURDES; DIAS, EDUARDO; DA SILVA, GELSON TIAGO DOS SANTOS TAVARES; DURAN, FLORYMAR ESCALONA; REGO, ARJUN; HIGGINS, DREW; RIBEIRO, CAUE. The role of TiO2:SnO2 heterojunction for partial oxidation of methane by photoelectrocatalytic process at room temperature. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, v. 968, p. 7-pg., 2023-09-19. (21/13065-0, 22/10255-5, 19/21496-0, 22/05149-1, 18/01258-5, 20/09628-6, 19/10689-2)

OBASANJO, CORNELIUS A.; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; MARIN, FATIMA GONZALEZ; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Steering the Selectivity of Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction on the Cu Catalyst via the Interplay between the Electrode Morphology and Electrolyte Anion Identity. ACS CATALYSIS, v. 15, n. 7, p. 12-pg., 2025-03-24. (21/12394-0, 22/10255-5, 23/10268-2, 13/07296-2)

ERYKA T. D. NOBREGA; KELVIN C. DE ARAÚJO; AILTON J. MOREIRA; REGIANE C. DE OLIVEIRA; GELSON T. S. T. DA SILVA; SIRLON F. BLASKIEVICZ; LEANDRO L. SOARES; SHERLAN G. LEMOS; LUCIA H. MASCARO; ERNESTO C. PEREIRA. Pure and Cobalt-Modified ZnO Nanostructures Prepared by a New Synthesis Route Applied to Environmental Remediation. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, v. 35, n. 11, 2024-05-10. (22/05254-0, 13/07296-2, 23/11554-9, 21/12394-0, 23/07525-3, 22/06219-3, 19/26860-2, 22/10255-5)

DOS REIS, EDUARDO ARIZONO; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; SANTIAGO, ELISABETE I. I.; RIBEIRO, CAUE. Revisiting Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction in Nonaqueous Media: Promoting CO2 Recycling in Organic Molecules by Controlling H-2 Evolution. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, v. 11, n. 6, p. 18-pg., 2023-03-09. (18/01258-5, 14/50279-4, 22/10255-5, 20/15230-5)

DIAS, EDUARDO HENRIQUE; DA SILVA, GELSON TIAGO DOS SANTOS TAVARES; DINH, CAO-THANG; DINH, KHAC HUY; MASCARO, LUCIA HELENA; RIBEIRO, CAUE. High Dispersion of Copper Nanoparticles on Carbon Black in Minimal Loadings Enhances the Electroreduction of CO₂ to CO. CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, v. 31, n. 42, p. 8-pg., 2025-06-30. (23/10268-2, 13/07296-2, 22/10255-5, 22/16560-4, 17/11986-5, 18/01258-5, 19/10689-2)

DE ALMEIDA, JESSICA C.; LOPES, OSMANDO F.; SHVIRO, MEITAL; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; RIBEIRO, CAUE; DE MENDONCA, VAGNER R.. Exploring the stability and catalytic activity of monoethanolamine functionalized CuO electrode in electrochemical CO₂ reduction. NANOSCALE, v. 16, n. 39, p. 13-pg., 2024-09-05. (18/01258-5, 13/07296-2, 23/10268-2, 22/10255-5, 22/01787-3)

KHIARAK, BEHNAM NOURMOHAMMADI; DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; GRANGE, VALENTINE; GAO, GUORUI; GOLOVANOVA, VIKTORIA; DE ARQUER, F. PELAYO DE GARCIA; MASCARO, LUCIA H.; DINH, CAO-THANG. Macro- and Nano-Porous Ag Electrodes Enable Selective and Stable Aqueous CO₂ Reduction. SMALL, v. 21, n. 8, p. 10-pg., 2024-12-23. (23/10268-2, 21/12394-0, 13/07296-2, 22/10255-5)