Mechanistic and surface studies of CO2 hydrogenation and steam reforming of ethanol reactions on M-CeO2/TiO2 (M: NixCuyCoz) nanostructures

• Grant number: 23/09379-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Daniela Zanchet
• Grantee: Larissa Evelin Ricardo Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , 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
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/05857-4 - Mechanistic and Surface Studies of CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol on CuZn-Based Catalysts Supported on MoO3 and MoC, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Looking for alternatives to reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere, the CO2 hydrogenation forming ethanol emerges as an alternative to mitigate this important greenhouse gas. From the chemistry point of view, the high CO2 stability associated with the C-C coupling and selectivity control demanded to produce high alcohols, remains a challenge. On the other hand, the knowledge acquired in the reverse reaction, i.e., the steam reforming of ethanol forming CO2 and H2, represents an opportunity to speed up the understanding of the reaction mechanisms to obtain high alcohols from CO2. This project aims the development of catalysts and optimized conditions to produce ethanol from CO2 as well as its reverse reaction, the steam reforming of ethanol producing H2. For that, advanced characterization tools will be associated with catalytic studies to evaluate the ethanol chemistry and reaction intermediaries. The catalysts will be based on hierarchical structures M-CeO2/TiO2 (M:NixCuyCoz), exploring the non-stoichiometry capacity of the oxides employed and tuning of their properties generated by the oxide-oxide interface, together with the metallic sites that will dictate the main reaction pathways. We hope that this project will generate a deep understanding at atomic scale of the catalytic process, boosting the sustainable production of ethanol from CO2 hydrogenation and assisting in the transition to renewable energy sources.