Study on the Effect of Catalysts on CO₂ Conversion and Design of Novel Catalysts

¹ Shanghai Gumei Senior High School, Shanghai 201101, China
² Hailar No.3 Middle School, Hailar 021000, China
³ Immersion Academy, California, America

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The increase in CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere fosters the greenhouse effect, and yet the levels of energy demand in the world are rising. Electro-catalytic reduction of CO₂ (ECRCO₂) offers a dual solution, eliminating CO2 and converting it into high-value chemical fuel, e.g., methane and methanol, and thus, addressing the shortage of energy. The technology supports a circular carbon economy though the selection of catalysts is a challenge as it determines the reaction efficiency and generates selectivity. Current catalysts including noble and transition metals are expensive, limited, unselective, and unstable, respectively, which reduces scalability. This paper is an analysis of ECRCO2 focusing on catalyst development. It starts with the description of key variables that affect catalysts' performance which include material composition, surface, and electronic properties. Then it discusses the drawbacks of traditional catalysts, which consist of side reactions and deactivation. Finally, it proposes a different approach to the design of next-generation catalysts by using different materials like single-atom catalysts and metal-organic frameworks. The computational models together with the experimental validation will be viewed as one means of enhancing the activity, selectivity, and durability by this approach.