Exploring Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids as a New Synthetic Path Toward Electrocatalysts

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This proposal will investigate the use of a novel technique, pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) for preparing nanoparticle electrocatalysts. PLAL is a promising synthetic approach for preparing nanoparticles that does not require toxic chemicals and is easily scable - advantageous for future developments. PLAL is actually viewed as a technique that minimizes chemical use, making a very "green" technique. In this proposal, PLAL-generated nanoparticle electrocatalysts will be examined in the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to useful products, such as formate salts, ethanol, etc. A recent, 2018 report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change clearly demonstrates that new solutions are needed to successfully tackle the growing problem of global warming and CO2 emissions. However, CO2 is a very stable molecule. Thus, electrocatalysts, materials that reduce the energy requirements for a reaction, are required convert CO2. One aspect of this research program is to prepare such electrocatalysts. PLAL will first be used to synthesize monometallic nanoparticles to validate our synthetic approach against current electrocatalysts. Bimetallic nanoparticles from readily available materials, such as tin or nickel, will then be prepared and employed in a CO2 electrolyzer, a device that converts CO2 into other chemicals, using electricity. Akin to a battery, an electrolyzer has two poles or, formally speaking, two electrodes. The second aspect of this research program is the study of the second electrode. Currently, the reaction occurring at this second electrode is the water oxidation to oxygen - an environmentally friendly reaction used in commercially-available alkaline electrolyzers to generate hydrogen and oxygen from water. However, CO2 electrolyzers do not operate under the same experimental conditions as alkaline water electrolyzers, therefore it is critical to reevaluate the choice of catalysts appropriate to convert CO2. The last, and very attractive, aspect of this proposal is the design of novel electrolyzers that incorporate CO2 elimination at one electrode with the conversion of another waste product, such as hydrazine or urea, at the other electrode. Such an inclusive design may also decrease the energy required to convert CO2. As PLAL is a versatile technique, it will allow the synthesis of nanomaterials for exploring all aspects described. Ultimately, this research program is environmentally relevant, as preparing electrocatalysts using this approach will help mitigate climate change and ease our transition toward renewable energies. Furthermore, the PLAL approach minimizes the use of toxic chemicals and is easy to scale up, thereby offering a sustainable solution to the pressing environmental problem of CO2 emissions. In long term, this program could pave the way toward a broader use of PLAL, for example to tackle challenges associated with battery materials or fuel cells.