Development of electrolysers for the conversion of CO2 to chemicals

Abstract

Purpose of this project is to research and develop a biomass-derived catalyst that is efficient in conducting the conversion of CO2 to CO. This is because the increase for CO2 in the atmosphere is worrying. The reason biomass derived catalyst is preferred is that there is an abundance of food waste around the world that is not better utilised.

Summary of the project: This project includes researching on the different metal catalyst that is efficient in reducing CO2 to CO. Biomass carbon will also be studied and fabricated to decide the performance capabilities when compared to commercial carbon. This will give an understanding on the capabilities of different metals when it is used as a catalyst for CO2 reduction.

Next, optimising the catalyst is important to achieve the best performance possible for the specific catalyst. Hence, research on optimising the silver and nickel catalyst is carried out by experimenting with the load capacity, catalyst composition concentration and catalyst structure. Coconut husk carbon and spent coffee ground carbon will be used to see its effects on the optimising of catalyst. This allows the understanding on how different parameters affect the efficiency of the catalyst.

Lastly, to further improve the performance of the catalyst at high current density, pulse electrolysis will also be studied and research on to figure out the effects it has on the reduction process.