Novel windows for “solar commodities”: a device for CO₂ reduction using plasmonic catalyst activation

Abstract

A novel plasmonic reactor concept is proposed and tested to work as a visible energy harvesting device while allowing reactions to transform CO 2 to be carried out.Particularly the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction has been tested as a means to introduce renewable energy into the economy. The development of the new reactor concept involved the synthesis of a new composite capable of plasmonic activation with light, the development of an impregnation method to create a single catalyst reactor entity, and finally the assembly of a reaction system to test the reaction. The composite developed was based on a Cu/ZnO catalyst dispersed into transparent aerogels. This allows efficient light transmission and a high surface area for the catalyst. An effective yet simple impregnation method was developed that allowed introduction of the composites into glass microchannels. The activation of the reaction was made using LEDs that covered all the sides of the reactor allowing a high power delivery. The results of the reaction show a stable process capable of low temperature transformations.

Environmental Catalysis: Present and Future

“…(D) Microreactor in the oven and details of the silica aerogel before and after impregnation of the photocatalysts. Adapted from ref . Copyright, 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

“…Photocatalysis is also suitable to produce H 2 or other energy vectors such as methane or methanol from photo-water splitting or CO 2 photoreduction, respectively (Figure 22 A and B). [187,188] Both are alternatives with a high level of scientific activity. [187,188] However, as a general rule, the efficiency of the photocatalytic-process in both reaction still being relatively low.…”

“…[187,188] Both are alternatives with a high level of scientific activity. [187,188] However, as a general rule, the efficiency of the photocatalytic-process in both reaction still being relatively low. The water splitting reaction has some limitations that have been addressed in several works, [150,189,190] leading, as above mentioned, to relatively limited conversion and quantum efficiency values in most of the reports.…”

“…Since solar energy is a theoretically infinite energy source and CO 2 has a definitive influence over the adverse climate change, the solar-driven reduction of CO 2 into chemicals and fuels such as formic acid, methane or methanol has been considered as a promising approach to address the problems of global warming and energy crisis ( Figure 22B). [188] From a green point of view, the ideal process would be the reduction of CO 2 under solar irradiation and in presence of water. [193] However, the desired photo-production of methane and methanol is also thermodynamic and kinetic unfavorable.…”

“…Reproduced with permission of ref. [188] Copyright, Royal Society of Chemistry. (C) Reaction scheme showing main products detected and the active sites during styrene photooxidation.…”