Iron-based layered double hydroxides as multifunctional catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation to light olefins (C2-C4): evaluation the effect of chemical composition and porosity on catalytic performance

• Grant number: 21/14230-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Elisabete Moreira Assaf
• Grantee: Rosembergue Gabriel Lima Goncalves
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Host 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

The need to control and reduce anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO2 has stimulated the development of processes for the reuse and transformation of this gas via heterogeneous catalysis into fuels and chemical products, such as short-chain olefins (C2-C4), feedstock essential for the chemical industry. In this sense, several studies have been published evaluating the direct reduction of CO2 to olefins by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (CO2-FT). However, despite the various studies published to date, the production of olefins via CO2-FT still has limiting factors that make its use on an industrial scale unfeasible, such as low selectivity and catalyst deactivation. To overcome these challenges, this project proposes the use of the three-dimensional and multi-interface structure of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as a platform for the development of multifunctional catalysts with active phase dispersion at the atomic level and high synergism between structural cations. Furthermore, this project proposes the utilization of biochar as an alternative and eco-friendly template for the production of LDHs with developed porosity. Thus, this work aims to prepare and evaluate LDHs containing different metals such as iron, copper, and zinc in the layers as precursors of multifunctional catalysts, seeking to optimize the development of catalysts for CO2-FT reaction. (AU)