Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Conversion

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Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is an important research field, which will help reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Metal refining often relies on coal (or other carbon materials) to reduce metal oxide ores to the pure metal. This process generates significant quantities of carbon dioxide - a GHG. The research proposed intends to close the loop in this system by electrocatalytically reducing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into graphite or other value-added organic feedstocks/fuels (e.g., ethanol). Electrocatalysis employing clean energy sources (such as hydro, solar or wind) in combination with an energy reducing substance - a catalyst - not only closes this loop making it inherently environmentally and economically sustainable, it makes the process carbon negative. This approach not only has the potential to reduce or eliminate GHG emissions for the industrial partner, Rio Tinto Fer and Titane (RTFT), but may produce a new revenue stream with the high-quality graphite being produced and via translation of the new knowledge to other sectors and processes with significant carbon footprints. The primary objectives of this work are to evaluate several electrocatalytic materials (e.g., metal nanoparticles in ionic liquids, metal nanoparticles in a conductive matrix) for reduction of carbon dioxide to graphite/organic fuels under a range of conditions. We will use special methods to analyze pathways in this process and identify optimum systems that should be applicable for scale-up in an industrial setting. The training environment outlined in this proposal focuses equally on the academic and industrial aspects of CCU. The HQP trained during this research will acquire skills identified as a high priority for the Canadian natural resource R&D sector, including sustainable resource development, waste reduction and green technologies. The proposed research will generate new knowledge with the potential to strengthen Canada's efforts in CCU and enable Canada and RTFT to become global leaders in this area.