CHEMICAL FROM ELECTRO CONVERSION OF CO2
Within the rapidly-expanding field of CO2 electrochemical reduction, our project explores the exciting potential to convert CO2 into useful fuels through the power of electricity!
MOTIVATION
For many years, it has been known that reducing CO2 through an applied potential will convert it into a host of different organics like carbon monoxide. But, with a little more work, it can be turned into more powerful compounds like ethylene. Huge amounts of ethylene are used every year as fuels and to make plastics, so our team has been busy working away on making this pathway as cheap and efficient as possible!
FLOW CELLS
The team is currently building a flow cell, intended to be the centrepiece allowing CO2 to flow through it and consequently be reduced at higher efficiencies into organic fuels. The team is making continual progress towards a first prototype, with parts already laser-cut and assembled. Currently, we are in the testing stage of the flow cell body, before the addition of more complex components such as diffusion electrode and anion exchange membranes.
Figure 2: Plasma Treated Catalysts under the microscope
IN THE LAB
Whilst the more complicated machinery of the project takes shape, we are getting skilled at using equipment like potentiostats, peristaltic pumps and analytical tools like GC and NMR to make sure our project members become skilled lab technicians. We are commencing with a beaker cell implementation of the electrolysis reaction we will later study in our flow cell.
Figure 1: Prototype of Flow Cell Body
A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
We are researching copper-based catalysts to synthesise in our lab that will promote the reduction of CO2 into ethylene. This reaction pathway is energetically challenging, and so the catalyst is what will enable us to achieve the efficiency we require. Currently, we are working towards halide-copper or plasma-treated variants.
Figure 2: Visualising carbon dioxide Reaction Pathways