Electrochemical promotion of nano-structured catalysis for green house gas mitigation

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The main objective of the proposed research program is to use the concept of Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (EPOC) for efficient and energy-saving routes for green house gas mitigation. The reactions of interests are methane combustion and CO2 hydrogenation. The proposed innovative processes and catalyst design will eliminate the need for high temperature and pressure, as well as lead to higher conversions and desired product selectivity for CO2 hydrogenation to C2 and C3 products. Recent advances in electropromotion science in particular development and application of highly-dispersed nano-structured catalysts will contribute towards advancement of this project. EPOC also known as non-faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity (NEMCA) is a promising concept for improving catalytic processes and advancing the frontiers of catalysis. This innovative area of catalysis aims to modify in-operando both the activity and the selectivity of catalysts, in a reversible and controlled manner. EPOC utilizes solid electrolytes (ionically conducting ceramics) as catalyst support. Ions from solid electrolytes (O2-, H+, Na+, K+, OH-, etc.) are electrochemically supplied to the catalyst surface and act as promoting species to modify the catalyst electronic properties in order to achieve optimal catalytic performance. EPOC provides a unique means of varying promoter levels at the catalyst surface under reaction conditions by simply changing the potential of the catalyst film. Moreover, promoting species such as O2- or H+ cannot be formed via gaseous adsorption and cannot be easily dosed by chemical ways. EPOC has been observed for a large number of chemical reactions promoted by a variety of catalyst-support systems. Those include reaction systems of critical importance in diverse fields of chemical synthesis including the production of commodity and fine chemicals and in the abatement of automotive emissions. In view of the above, Electrochemical Promotion opens an entire new perspective in the selective CO2 hydrogenation and methane combustion reactions by in-situ providing ionic promoters eliminating the need for high temperatures and pressures. The current project will solve the main issue of the electropromotion science: coupling dispersed catalysts at the nanometric scale with electrochemical activation. This breakthrough will open new perspectives for the systematic investigation of the role of promoters in other technological important systems, hence offering a route to design efficient catalytic formulations. In addition, the project will contribute to a better understanding of the EPOC process and, from a more general point of view, of all catalytic solutions using a promoter.