SusChEM: Solar CO2 Reduction (SCO2RE) with Non-Innocent Ligand Transition Metal Photocatalysts

SusChEM：利用非无害配体过渡金属光催化剂实现太阳能二氧化碳减排 (SCO2RE)

• 批准号: 1301132
• 负责人: Jonathan Rochford
• 金额: $ 34.1万
• 依托单位: University of Massachusetts Boston
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-01 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1301132&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SusChEM; Solar; CO2; Reduction; SCO2RE

In this project, funded by the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Jonathan Rochford of UMass Boston seeks mechanistic insight into the solar driven production of chemical feedstocks from carbon dioxide. One such product, carbon monoxide, is a valuable precursor towards further reduced carbon-based fuels as well as syngas, a staring material used in the petrochemical industry. There remain major obstacles to overcome before such multi-electron photocatalysis can be efficiently utilized from single photon initiated processes in molecular systems. In this context, Professor Rochford and his research group designs rhenium(I)carbonyl systems with non-innocent ligands that are capable of efficient light harvesting in the visible spectrum while also displaying strong potential as carbon dioxide reduction photocatalysts. While rhenium is a precious metal and its supply is limited, this research project repeatedly reuses tiny amounts of the metal to create significant amounts of desired product, making the overall effort more environmentally friendly than current techniques for the production of fuels and industrial feedstocks. This research is considered under the "SusChEM" initiative as it converts a non-petroleum based feedstock (carbon dioxide) into useful carbon-containing materials. By combining a rational program of synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysical analyses, a greater understanding of design strategies towards solar carbon dioxide conversion is developed. Mimicking natural photosynthesis by harvesting the sun's energy towards a sustainable process for fuel production represents one of the grand challenges of science today. This project aids in further understanding artificial photosynthesis and provides multi-disciplinary training for students at UMass Boston. Furthermore, key concepts and findings of this project are integrated into the undergraduate curriculum at UMass Boston to educate future generations of scientists on the importance of utilizing solar energy as our society works towards a sustainable and greener future.

在这个由化学学部化学催化项目资助的项目中，马萨诸塞大学波士顿分校的Jonathan Rochford教授寻求从二氧化碳中提取化学原料的太阳能驱动生产的机理。其中一种产品，一氧化碳，是进一步减少碳基燃料和合成气的有价值的前体，合成气是石化工业中使用的一种起始材料。在分子体系中有效利用单光子引发的多电子光催化过程之前，还存在一些主要的障碍需要克服。在这种情况下，Rochford教授和他的研究小组设计了具有非无害配体的铼(I)羰基体系，该体系能够在可见光谱中有效地收集光，同时也显示出作为二氧化碳还原光催化剂的强大潜力。虽然铼是一种贵金属，其供应有限，但该研究项目反复重复使用少量金属来制造大量所需产品，使总体努力比目前生产燃料和工业原料的技术更环保。这项研究被认为是“SusChEM”倡议的一部分，因为它将非石油原料（二氧化碳）转化为有用的含碳材料。通过结合合理的合成、电化学和光物理分析程序，对太阳能二氧化碳转换的设计策略有了更好的理解。通过收集太阳的能量来模拟自然光合作用，从而实现可持续的燃料生产过程，这是当今科学面临的重大挑战之一。该项目有助于进一步了解人工光合作用，并为麻省大学波士顿分校的学生提供多学科培训。此外，该项目的关键概念和发现被整合到马萨诸塞大学波士顿分校的本科课程中，以教育未来几代科学家利用太阳能的重要性，因为我们的社会正在朝着可持续和绿色的未来努力。