Recent advances in the use of ionic liquids in the CO₂ conversion to CO and C₂⁺ hydrocarbons

Author(s)

Santos, Magno F. ; Alcantara, Murilo L. ; Nascimento, Claudio Augusto O. ; Bassani, Gabriel S. ; Alves, Rita Maria B.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy; v. N/A, p. 19-pg., 2023-07-29.

Abstract

Addressing industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is imperative due to its contribution to global warming. Transitioning toward more sustainable processes, CO2 conversion technologies hold promise in generating high-value chemicals. Notably, ionic liquids (ILs) have been reported to significantly boost CO2 conversion to CO and facilitate the production of C-2(+) hydrocarbons within a single reactor. This study delves into the recent advancements in employing ILs for converting CO2 into CO or into C-2(+) hydrocarbons. Performance metrics of various catalysts, both with and without ILs, involved in the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) reaction, are presented. Detailed insights into the underlying reaction mechanisms and thermodynamics are shared. Further, the study elaborates on the experimental procedures adopted for synthesizing IL + metal catalysts, optimally suitable for producing CO or C-2(+) hydrocarbons. Additionally, we report the latest accomplishments in IL-based electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO. Despite the limited availability of studies, the use of IL + metal catalysts for CO2 reduction to CO or C-2(+) has shown considerable promise. These advancements predominantly involve lowering the operational temperature of the reactor and enabling the production of C-2(+) hydrocarbons in a single unit. However, this technology is still incipient. There are crucial areas that demand further exploration, such as understanding system kinetics, thermodynamics, and enhancing process modeling and simulation. As such, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the potential and challenges of IL-enhanced CO2 conversion, propelling future research in this field.{GRAPHIACAL ABSTRACT} (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/07155-6 - High-pressure CO2 separation and conversion processes with ionic liquids: COSMO-SAC evaluation, subsea carbon capture, and RWGS reaction.
• Grantee: Murilo Leite Alcantara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral