Synthesis and characterization of new electrocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction aiming at the production of value-added products

• Grant number: 24/10952-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Grantee: Thalita Ferreira da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12895-1 - Advanced processes for the degradation of emerging pollutants: catalytic materials, electroanalytical sensors and scientific dissemination, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/13616-7 - Development of Cu-Au interfaces on porous carbon support for selective electrochemical reduction of CO2, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

The recycling of CO2 through electrochemical reduction offers an attractive approach to accelerating the carbon cycle. In this context, the present project aims to develop novel nanostructured copper-based electrocatalysts decorated with Ni and/or In-supported carbon matrices. These materials will be applied in the electrochemical reduction of CO2, aiming at the generation of value-added chemical products. Three series of copper-based electrocatalysts decorated with Ni and/or In supported on carbon matrices, namely graphene nanoribbons (GNR), Printex XE2B (CPXE2B), and Printex L6 (CPL6), will be synthesized. The performance of the system and reaction mechanisms of the electrocatalysts will be analyzed and investigated using electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, hydrodynamic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The morphological and structural properties will be investigated using techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The electrocatalytic reduction of CO‚ will be conducted in a conventional electrochemical reactor and a flow reactor. Independent variables, such as electrolyte, pH, and potential, will be optimized. It is expected that the new copper-based electrocatalysts will exhibit high selectivity for specific products, as well as good chemical and mechanical stability. Additionally, mechanistic studies will be conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of product formation from the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2.