Tianjin University, new breakthrough!

◎ Science and Technology Daily reporter Chen Xi

Recently, the Laboratory of New Energy and Chemical Engineering of Tianjin University and the Department of Physics of the Technical University of Denmark have made breakthroughs in the field of carbon dioxide resource utilization, revealing the speed control steps of the electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide, and proposing a new mechanism understanding in this research direction, and the relevant results were published in Nature Communications.

The two electrons transfer carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction reaction control step is the carbon dioxide adsorption process. Courtesy of Tianjin University

The increasing content of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has caused a growing global warming. The efficient conversion of carbon dioxide into chemicals by using electricity generated by renewable energy sources such as solar energy is an important direction for its resource utilization. Studies have shown that the selectivity of carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction of carbon monoxide and formate can be close to 100%, with industrial production potential, and is an effective technical path to alleviate the greenhouse effect and achieve a green carbon cycle.

Defining the speed control steps for a catalytic reaction is key to designing high-performance catalysts and reaction systems. The researchers proposed a method to effectively analyze the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to control the speed of carbon monoxide and formate reactions. Based on the Butler-Volmer principle, the team derived the reaction rate expression under different potential speed control steps, and by combining the reaction kinetic analysis, it was clear that the control step of the electrochemical reduction reaction of two electrons transferring carbon dioxide was the carbon dioxide adsorption process. This study shows that the key to improving the efficiency of the reaction lies in enhancing the adsorption of carbon dioxide.

Deng Wanyu, one of the main completers of this research work and a doctoral student, said, "This achievement can not only provide a new understanding of the reaction mechanism for electrocatalytic technology that reduces carbon emissions and alleviates the greenhouse effect, but also helps the mainland to seize the international commanding heights of carbon dioxide utilization technology, which is of great strategic significance." ”

Source: Science and Technology Daily

Editor: Zhang Shuang

Review: Yue Liang

Final Judgement: Wang Yu