Optimizing Binding Energies of Key Intermediates for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Oxide-Supported Copper

Prominent Electron Penetration through Ultrathin Graphene Layer from FeNi Alloy for Efficient Reduction of CO2 to CO

The chemical transformation of CO₂ is an efficient approach in low-carbon energy system. The development of nonprecious metal catalysts with sufficient activity, selectivity, and stability for the generation of CO by CO₂ reduction under mild conditions remains a major challenge. A hierarchical architecture catalyst composed of ultrathin graphene shells (2-4 layers) encapsulating homogeneous FeNi alloy nanoparticles shows enhance catalytic performance. Electron transfer from the encapsulated alloy can extend from the inner to the outer shell, resulting in an increased charge density on graphene. Nitrogen atom dopants can synergistically increase the electron density on the catalyst surface and modulate the adsorption capability for acidic CO₂ molecules. The optimized FeNi₃ @NG (NG=N-doped graphene) catalyst, with significant electron penetration through the graphene layer, effects exceptional CO₂ conversion of 20.2 % with a CO selectivity of nearly 100 %, as well as excellent thermal stability at 523 K.

Plasma-Activated Copper Nanocube Catalysts for Efficient Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction to Hydrocarbons and Alcohols

Carbon dioxide electroreduction to chemicals and fuels powered by renewable energy sources is considered a promising path to address climate change and energy storage needs. We have developed highly active and selective copper (Cu) nanocube catalysts with tunable Cu(100) facet and oxygen/chlorine ion content by low-pressure plasma pretreatments. These catalysts display lower overpotentials and higher ethylene, ethanol, and n-propanol selectivity, resulting in a maximum Faradaic efficiency (FE) of ∼73% for C₂ and C₃ products. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in combination with quasi-in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the catalyst shape, ion content, and ion stability under electrochemical reaction conditions can be systematically tuned through plasma treatments. Our results demonstrate that the presence of oxygen species in surface and subsurface regions of the nanocube catalysts is key for achieving high activity and hydrocarbon/alcohol selectivity, even more important than the presence of Cu(100) facets.

Gas fermentation: cellular engineering possibilities and scale up

Low carbon fuels and chemicals can be sourced from renewable materials such as biomass or from industrial and municipal waste streams. Gasification of these materials allows all of the carbon to become available for product generation, a clear advantage over partial biomass conversion into fermentable sugars. Gasification results into a synthesis stream (syngas) containing carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2) and nitrogen (N2). Autotrophy-the ability to fix carbon such as CO2 is present in all domains of life but photosynthesis alone is not keeping up with anthropogenic CO2 output. One strategy is to curtail the gaseous atmospheric release by developing waste and syngas conversion technologies. Historically microorganisms have contributed to major, albeit slow, atmospheric composition changes. The current status and future potential of anaerobic gas-fermenting bacteria with special focus on acetogens are the focus of this review.

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of CO2by metal oxides: defect engineering – perfecting imperfection

In this review, we discuss how metal oxides with designed defects can be synthesized and engineered, to enable heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of gaseous carbon dioxide to chemicals and fuels.

Direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol over CaO–CeO2 catalysts: the role of acid–base properties and surface oxygen vacancies

The addition of CaO to the CeO₂ catalyst had a significant impact on the acid–base properties and amounts of oxygen vacancies on the surface catalyst.

Activation of CO2 by supported Cu clusters

CO₂ forms a bent, negative anion upon adsorption near a Cu₃ cluster supported on TiO₂.

DFT study of CO2 conversion on InZr3(110) surface

The InZr₃ alloy is a potential candidate catalyst for methanol and methane synthesis from CO₂ hydrogenation.