Electroreduction of CO2 to ethanol on copper-based catalysts

• Grant number: 23/00120-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Janaina Fernandes Gomes
• Grantee: Higor de Oliveira Alves
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/08420-0 - Multi-approaches strategies for converting CO2 to platform molecules and value-added chemicals: catalysis and electrocatalysis investigations, AP.BIOEN.JP

Abstract

Constant climate change and the growing world demand for renewable energy sources have driven the development of strategies to reduce CO2 emissions and control atmospheric levels of this gas. The electrochemical conversion of CO2 to fuels is a promising approach to help to minimize the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere and the environmental impacts associated with it. However, low CO2 conversion, low selectivity to the formation of a specific product, low current density and/or low stability of the catalysts are challenges to be overcome. Several studies indicate that different strategies, such as carrying out the reaction in an acid medium in the presence of alkali metal cations, the use of bimetallic or hybrid catalysts, the application of oxidative processes to Cu-based catalysts and the use of catalysts with different geometries, can intensify the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to compounds with two or more carbon atoms. In the present work, combinations of these strategies will be evaluated. The objective of this study is to synthesize new Cu catalysts, characterize and apply them to the electroreduction of CO2 under different reaction conditions, aiming at the development of a technological route for the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to ethanol.