CO2 reduction on hollow fiber electrodes in organic electrolytes
In the context of accelerating climate change, the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is imperative for mitigating environmental impact and achieving sustainability goals. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECR) has emerged as a promising technology for converting CO₂ into valuable chemicals and fuels, thus addressing both energy and environmental challenges. Among the various electrochemical systems, hollow fiber electrodes (HFEs) have garnered significant interest due to their high surface area, unique mass transfer properties, and enhanced catalytic performance.
This assignment focuses on the exploration of CO₂ reduction using HFEs in organic electrolytes. Organic electrolytes offer several advantages over aqueous systems, including a broader electrochemical window, improved solubility of CO₂, and the potential for selective product formation. Yet, to our knowledge, the HFEs have never been used in organic electrolytes.
The primary objectives of this study are to assess the efficacy of HFEs in organic electrolytes for CO₂ reduction and examine the factors that influence catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability. During this work, you will investigate titanium HFEs with a deposited copper layer or a hybrid layer consisting of copper and an organic molecule. You will also investigate various types of organic electrolytes in order to optimize CO2 reduction.
In this work, you will mainly use online gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance to determine product distribution and electrolyte stability. As well as various techniques to characterize the electrode surface.
Through this research, we are not only advancing the understanding of electrochemical CO₂ reduction processes but also laying the foundation for scalable and efficient carbon utilization technologies. The findings of this study have the potential to revolutionize the field, leading to the development of more sustainable and effective CO₂ reduction systems.
Daily Supervisor: A. Berghuis (a.berghuis@utwente.nl)