You are here : Home > The lab > Capture and electrochemical conversion of CO2 in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents with Pd-based electrocatalysts

Kristina Beliava

Capture and electrochemical conversion of CO2 in ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents with Pd-based electrocatalysts

Published on 12 December 2023
Thesis presented December 12, 2023

Abstract:
Carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) is a way to decarbonize industrial sector. This technology provides a valorization of cheap carbon feedstock by its transformation to carbonaceous value-added chemicals. Multiple CO2 capture and utilization techniques exist to prevent the release of the greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. Here, we propose an integrated process of CO2 capture sequenced by electroconversion to C-based products in electrochemical cell. Electrochemical CO2 conversion is a promising method due to mild reaction conditions and possibility to power the reaction with electricity produced by renewable energy sources. This process necessitates the development of solvents capable to capture CO2 and to play a role of electrolyte during electrochemical reduction reaction. At the same time, efficient catalytic materials are vital for selective CO2 conversion to targeted product(s). The choice of capture solvent is usually based on CO2 capture ability, chemical and electrochemical stabilities, environmental issue and cost. Economically affordable deep eutectic solvent (DES) electrolytes seem to be promising candidates for CO2 capture and electroreduction because of good thermal and electrochemical stabilities, competitive CO2 uptake and large electrochemical windows. In this work, we focused on the development of novel deep eutectic solvent electrolytes for CO2 electroreduction with Pd-based electrocatalysts. Palladium proved its efficiency for selective conversion of carbon dioxide to C1 molecules such as carbon monoxide.
During the thesis, we synthesized and electrochemically tested multiple DESs and Pd-based electrocatalysts with different morphologies and particle sizes to get more insights into reaction mechanism of CO2 electroreduction to C1 molecules. The implementation of different characterization techniques helped to study catalytic materials and DESs structures, to analyze gaseous and liquid reaction intermediates and products, and to understand main challenges of the studied system. Overall, this study is a one step forward the application of CO2ER (carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction) for valorisation of carbon dioxide and climate change mitigation.

Keywords:
CO2 electroreduction, decarbonization, CCU, palladium electrocatalyst, deep eutectic solvent electrolyte