Event
CHBE Seminar: Dr. Chao Wang, Chem. & Biomolecular Engr., Johns Hopkins University
Friday, November 11, 2022
11:00 a.m.
Room 2108 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building and Via Zoom
Patricia Lorenzana
301-405-1935
plorenza@umd.edu
Electrochemical Engineering of CO 2 Conversion
Abstract: Renewable energy-driven electroreduction of CO 2 represents a promising approach toward artificial carbon recycling. However, the efficiencies of energy conversion and chemical transformation are still limited for scalable CO 2 conversion. This presentation aims to introduce our efforts on the development of advanced electrocatalysts and electrochemical systems for CO 2 and CO conversion. Topics to be covered include i) bimetallic electrocatalysts with heteroatomic surfaces for asymmetrical C-C coupling, ii) single-atom Cu electrocatalysts for Elly-Redial CO reduction and iii) continuous CO 2 reduction at high carbon conversions. Atomic structures of the catalyst nanostructures are characterized using state-of-the-art electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy techniques. Surface structures and adsorption properties of the electrocatalysts are probed by measuring temperature- or potential-programed chemisorption of small molecules (e.g., CO ad and OH ad ). Kinetic analysis was performed to discern the rate-determining factors and reaction pathways. The established structure-property-performance correlations are further subjected to computational simulations to develop fundamental understanding of the catalytic mechanisms. Electrochemical system is designed and engineered for continuous processing of CO 2 conversion. Our work highlights the great potential of electrosynthesis with CO 2 as the feedstocktoward renewable hydrocarbons.
