To date, copper is the only heterogeneous catalyst that has shown a propensity to produce valuable hydrocarbons and alcohols, such as ethylene and ethanol, from electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R). There are variety of factors that impact CO2R activity and selectivity, including the catalyst surface structure, morphology, composition, the choice of electrolyte ions and pH, and the electrochemical cell design. Many of these factors are often intertwined, which can complicate catalyst discovery and design efforts. Here we take a broad and historical view of these different aspects and their complex interplay in CO2R catalysis on Cu, with the purpose of providing new insights, critical evaluations, and guidance to the field with regard to research directions and best practices. First, we describe the various experimental probes and complementary theoretical methods that have been used to discern the mechanisms by which products are formed, and next we present our current understanding of the complex reaction networks for CO2R on Cu. We then analyze two key methods that have been used in attempts to alter the activity and selectivity of Cu: nanostructuring and the formation of bimetallic electrodes. Finally, we offer some perspectives on the future outlook for electrochemical CO2R.

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Progress and Perspectives of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction on Copper in Aqueous Electrolyte

Deactivation of heterogeneous catalysts is a ubiquitous problem that causes loss of catalytic rate with time. This review on deactivation and regeneration of heterogeneous catalysts classifies deactivation by type (chemical, thermal, and mechanical) and by mechanism (poisoning, fouling, thermal degradation, vapor formation, vapor-solid and solid-solid reactions, and attrition/crushing). The key features and considerations for each of these deactivation types is reviewed in detail with reference to the latest literature reports in these areas. Two case studies on the deactivation mechanisms of catalysts used for cobalt Fischer-Tropsch and selective catalytic reduction are considered to provide additional depth in the topics of sintering, coking, poisoning, and fouling. Regeneration considerations and options are also briefly discussed for each deactivation mechanism.

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Heterogeneous Catalyst Deactivation and Regeneration: A Review

The recent advances in the development of heterogeneous catalysts and processes for the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to formate/formic acid, methanol, and dimethyl ether are thoroughly reviewed, with special emphasis on thermodynamics and catalyst design considerations. After introducing the main motivation for the development of such processes, we first summarize the most important aspects of CO2 capture and green routes to produce H2. Once the scene in terms of feedstocks is introduced, we carefully summarize the state of the art in the development of heterogeneous catalysts for these important hydrogenation reactions. Finally, in an attempt to give an order of magnitude regarding CO2 valorization, we critically assess economical aspects of the production of methanol and DME and outline future research and development directions.

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Challenges in the Greener Production of Formates/Formic Acid, Methanol, and DME by Heterogeneously Catalyzed CO2 Hydrogenation Processes.

The use of methanol as a fuel and chemical feedstock could become very important in the development of a more sustainable society if methanol could be efficiently obtained from the direct reduction of CO2 using solar-generated hydrogen. If hydrogen production is to be decentralized, small-scale CO2 reduction devices are required that operate at low pressures. Here, we report the discovery of a Ni-Ga catalyst that reduces CO2 to methanol at ambient pressure. The catalyst was identified through a descriptor-based analysis of the process and the use of computational methods to identify Ni-Ga intermetallic compounds as stable candidates with good activity. We synthesized and tested a series of catalysts and found that Ni5Ga3 is particularly active and selective. Comparison with conventional Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts revealed the same or better methanol synthesis activity, as well as considerably lower production of CO. We suggest that this is a first step towards the development of small-scale low-pressure devices for CO2 reduction to methanol.

Discovery of a Ni-Ga catalyst for carbon dioxide reduction to methanol

Progress in biofuel production from gasification

How to methanol synthesis

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively recover an olefin gas, hydrogen, and BTX from a waste plastic. SOLUTION: This method comprises a pretreatment step (I) for separating a waste plastic into a polyolefin plastic and other plastics; a thermal decomposition step (II) for thermally decomposing the polyolefin plastic; a catalytic decomposition step (III) wherein 2-4C olefins are formed from a thermal decomposition gas 5 (generated at step II) by the action of a boron-containing silicate catalyst 7 of a first catalytic decomposition section 8 and BTX and hydrogen are formed by the action of a gallium-containing silicate catalyst 9 of a second catalytic decomposition section 10; a high-boiling-point component separation step (IV) for separating a high-boiling-point component from a gas 13 coming out of step III; and a gas-liquid separation step (V) wherein the gas 13 freed of the high-boiling-point component is cooled to be separated into a gas phase 16 mainly comprising a 2-4C olefin gas and hydrogen and a liquid phase 17 mainly comprising BTX.

Method and apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure stable continuous operations of plants in a chemical recycling method for pyrolyzing waste plastics to reutilize them as raw materials for petrochemistry. SOLUTION: A plurality of catalytic decomposition tanks filled with a silicate catalyst are installed and switched in turn to be repeatedly subjected alternately to a catalytic decomposition reaction operation and a catalyst generation reaction operation. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Method for chemical recycling of waste plastic and apparatus therefor

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deterioration of catalyst activities resulting in lowering of the yield of olefin gases or aromatic hydrocarbons by preventing splashes of carbon or volatile metals in pyrolysis gases from adhering to a silicate catalyst in an apparatus for a chemical recycling method for pyrolyzing waste plastics to reutilize them as raw materials for petrochemistry. SOLUTION: A filter made of a metal is attached between a pyrolysis tank and a catalytic decomposition tank. The splashes of carbon or volatile metals in pyrolysis gases are trapped and re-heated to vaporize. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

PURPOSE: To enhance the corrosion-proof performance of the structural members of reactor, along with the maintenability, under radioative and underwater environment for a longer term than the lifetime of the reactor. CONSTITUTION: The structural member X of reactor being disposed in the cooling water R for reactor is prepared by applying a semiconductor layer Y, e.g. a titanium oxide layer, integrally onto the surface of a structural member subjected to radioative radiation or Cherenkov radiation. The semiconductor layer Y of titanium oxide, for example, is irradiated with radioactive rays or Cherenkov radiation from the core 2 and nonconsumable anode reaction takes place. Consequently, the corrosion potential on the surface of the structural member X in the vicinity of the semiconductor layer Y is lowered thus satisfying the corrosion-proof conditions of metal. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO

順也西野

Papers

How to methanol synthesis

Method and apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

Method for chemical recycling of waste plastic and apparatus therefor

Apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

Structural member of reactor and corrosion-proof method therefor

順也 西野

Papers

How to methanol synthesis

Method and apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

Method for chemical recycling of waste plastic and apparatus therefor

Apparatus for chemical recycling of waste plastic

Structural member of reactor and corrosion-proof method therefor

順也西野