Collaborative Research: Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Small Organic Fuels on Encapsulated Metal Catalysts in Gas Diffusion Electrode Environment

合作研究：气体扩散电极环境中封装金属催化剂将二氧化碳电化学还原为小分子有机燃料

• 批准号: 1501113
• 负责人: Wenzhen Li
• 金额: $ 2.57万
• 依托单位: Iowa State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-07-20 至 2015-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1501113&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Electrochemical; Reduction; CO2

PI: Li, Wenzhen / Williams, ChristopherProposal Number: 1235982 / 1235654Institution: Michigan Technological University / University of South Carolina at ColumbiaTitle: Collaborative Research: Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Small Organic Fuels on Encapsulated Metal Catalysts in Gas Diffusion Electrode EnvironmentThe increase of the greenhouse gas CO2 in the atmosphere has resulted in serious global warming issues. The electroreduction of CO2 to organic molecules is a critical goal that would positively impact the global carbon balance by recycling CO2 back into usable fuels. However, an electroreduction that is fast enough and can operate to full capacity remains a great scientific challenge. This collaborative team proposes to investigate a novel class of carbon nanotube (CNT) encapsulated Cu-based nanostructures for efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in gas diffusion phase, based on their extensive research expertise in catalysis, spectroscopy and electrochemical engineering. The research hypotheses are: 1) that inside CNT channels, CO2 and H species transport and charge transfer can be effectively tuned through optimizing the diameter and length of CNTs and distribution of metal nanoparticles; 2) that the spatial restriction of CNT channels can enhance chain growth probability (to form C2+ fuels); 3) that the cation exchange ionomer can effectively adjust the local pH of reaction sites close to neutral in order to facilitate CO2 reduction. The project will focus on three research tasks: 1) rationally design, accurately synthesize and fully characterize CNTs encapsulated Cu- based bimetallic (Fe, Ag, Pd, etc) nanoparticles having alloy or core-shell structure; 2) investigate mechanistic steps of CO2 reduction at the encapsulated catalyst-cation exchange membrane ionomer interface using in-situ electrochemical FTIR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography; 3) assemble encapsulated catalysts into MEAs and investigate CO2 reduction in gas diffusion electrode environment using electrochemical methods, chromatography analysis, and micro-kinetic modeling.This research will have several broad scientific and social impacts. First, studies of these novel encapsulated catalytic systems will advance knowledge of precise synthesis of composite catalytic materials and structure-catalytic function relationships. Second, the research efforts will deepen our understanding of electro-driven conversion of CO2 to usable organic fuels (electrofuels). Third, it will advance CO2 conversion knowledge based on solid polymer electrolyte and gas diffusion electrode techniques and support the world-wide research efforts to balance global carbon cycling and alleviate global climate change issues. The students involved will not only acquire hands-on research skills, but also learn analytical, communication, cooperation and innovation skills. In addition, the PIs will incorporate the generated results into the existing undergraduate courses and enterprise projects. The outreach efforts will increase high school students? interests in science, engineering and technology, and eventually benefit our society by a sustainably supply of new generation researchers in these fields.

PI: Li, Wenzhen / Williams, ChristopherProposal Number: 1235982 / 1235654Institution: Michigan Technological University / University of South Carolina at ColumbiaTitle: Collaborative Research: Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Small Organic Fuels on Encapsulated Metal Catalysts in Gas Diffusion Electrode EnvironmentThe increase of the greenhouse gas CO2 in the atmosphere has resulted in serious global变暖问题。二氧化碳对有机分子的电源是一个关键目标，它将通过将CO2回收回可用燃料来积极影响全球碳平衡。但是，足够快且可以到达满负荷的电源仍然是一个巨大的科学挑战。该协作团队建议研究一类新型的碳纳米管（CNT）基于CU的纳米结构，以基于其在催化，光谱，光谱和电化学工程方面的广泛研究专业知识，从而在气体扩散阶段有效地进行电催化降低CO2。研究假设是：1）通过优化CNT和金属纳米颗粒的直径和长度以及金属纳米颗粒的分布，可以有效地调节CNT通道，CO2和H物种内部的传输和电荷转移； 2）CNT通道的空间限制可以增强链生长概率（形成C2+燃料）； 3）阳离子交换离子体可以有效地调节接近中性的反应位点的局部pH，以促进二氧化碳的还原。该项目将重点关注三个研究任务：1）合理设计，准确地合成并完全表征CNT封装的基于Cu的双金属（Fe，Ag，PD等）具有合金或核心壳结构的纳米颗粒； 2）使用原位电化学FTIR，气相色谱 - 质量光谱法和高性能液相色谱研究，研究封装的催化剂交换膜离子界面上CO2减少的机理步骤； 3）通过电化学方法，色谱分析和微动感建模组装封装的催化剂，并研究气体扩散电极环境的CO2减少。这项研究将产生几种广泛的科学和社会影响。首先，对这些新型封装催化系统的研究将提高有关复合催化材料和结构催化功能关系的精确合成的知识。其次，研究工作将加深我们对将二氧化碳转换为可用有机燃料（电解燃料）的转化的理解。第三，它将基于固体聚合物电解质和气体扩散电极技术来提高二氧化碳转化知识，并支持全球研究的工作，以平衡全球碳循环并减轻全球气候变化问题。 参与的学生不仅会获得动手研究技能，还将学习分析，沟通，合作和创新技能。此外，PI将将生成的结果纳入现有的本科课程和企业项目中。外展工作会增加高中生吗？对科学，工程和技术的兴趣，并最终通过这些领域的新一代研究人员提供可持续的新一代研究人员。