Reactive capture of carbon dioxide for synthesis gas production using multifunctional materials

• Grant number: 24/13712-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Henrique Vieira
• Grantee: Enzo Zavanella Moret
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/06419-2 - Development of catalytic adsorbents for application in the integrated CO2 capture and conversion, AP.GR

Abstract

The escalating greenhouse gas emissions and the inadequacy of current mitigation technologies call for urgent research in the field. Large-scale carbon dioxide emission sources, such as thermoelectric plants powered by fossil fuels, should be a primary focus. Brazil has seen a significant increase in emissions resulting from the thermoelectric process, used as an alternative to hydroelectric shortages, and the associated environmental issue receives poor attention. In light of this, the proposed solution aims to develop multifunctional materials that combine alkali-earth metal oxides and transition metals to alternate carbon dioxide capture and conversion cycles, through dry reforming of methane to produce syngas. The focus will be on producing homogeneous diameter metal-oxide composite nanoparticles, avoiding sintering and diffusion problems during the reaction by creating physical barriers, coating them with porous structures. Syngas is a mixture of high interest to the fuel industry, and its production through dry reforming of methane is particularly important as it promotes the simultaneous mitigation of two greenhouse gases. The proposal has an interdisciplinary character involving fundamental research in the areas of surface physical-chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and chemical engineering, with technological interest for solving current environmental problems.