Rational Design of Nanocomposites as Efficient Catalysts for Hydrogen Production and CO2 Conversion into Valuable Fuels using Sun Light

全球能源危机和环境问题迫切要求人们寻找可替代的可持续能源来取代化石燃料。尽管化石燃料与任何其他现有能源都是不可比拟的，但化石燃料的消耗导致了化石燃料的枯竭，更重要的是，它导致了前所未有的温室效应等环境问题，特别是目前的大规模消费和人口问题。因此，确定一种在能源的生产和消费阶段以及环境问题上都是生态友好的技术是更可行的。在这种情况下，“光催化”可能是理想的，因为它同时提供能源生产和环境修复。例如，氢可以通过使用光催化剂直接通过水分子的分裂产生，同样，光催化剂也可以将二氧化碳转化为有用的碳氢化合物燃料，如CH4和CH3OH。此外，光催化剂的活化在经济上和环境上也是可行的，因为它可以在阳光直射下被激活。因此，光催化可以成为解决这些问题的万能工具和梦想技术。考虑到加拿大以及世界范围内的这些情况，有些行业完全致力于开发此类技术。虽然产业是技术的制造者，但他们应该得到学术科研的支持和装备，这是任何技术体现的支柱。因此，本提案提出了开发纳米级混合光催化新型材料，用于环保生产H2以及通过CO2还原生产碳氢化合物燃料。本项目旨在将学术研究与产业联系起来，实现“从实验室到市场”的战略。更重要的是，这一建议符合加拿大在解决上述问题方面的倡议。该项目通过为石化产品脱碳和可再生能源和技术提供途径，帮助加拿大实现解决温室气体排放的目标。此外，这个拟议项目的科学和技术成果将代表加拿大对世界在寻求能源和环境补救方面的贡献。在更广泛的背景下，该提案涉及地球上人类福祉所需的医疗保健、环境和能源。

The global energy crisis and environmental problems urgently require an intense search for alternative sustainable energy sources to replace the fossil fuels. Despite the fossil fuels are unparallel to any other existing energy sources, the consumption of fossil fuels leads to their depletion, and more importantly, it leads to environmental issues such as greenhouse effect like never ever before, especially, the current scenario of mass consumption and population is concerned. Therefore, it is more feasible to identify a technology which is eco-friendly in both production and consumption phases of the energy along with the environmental concerns. In this context, “photocatalysis” can be ideal as it offers a simultaneous energy production and environmental remediation. For instance, hydrogen can be directly produced through the splitting of water molecules using photocatalyst and similarly, a photocatalyst can also convert CO2 into useful hydrocarbon fuels such as CH4 and CH3OH. In addition, the activation of the photocatalyst is also economically and environmentally viable as it can be activated under direct sunlight. It is, therefore, the photocatalysis can be a versatile tool and a DREAM TECHNOLOGY to address such issues. Considering these scenarios in Canada as well as worldwide, there are industries fully dedicated to the development of such technology. Though the industries are the technology makers, they should be supported and equipped with academic scientific research, which is the backbone for any technology to manifest. Accordingly, this proposal proposes the development of nanoscale hybrid photocatalytic novel materials for the eco-friendly production of H2 as well as the production of hydrocarbon fuels through CO2 reduction. This proposal aims to bridge the academic research with industries to accomplish the “Laboratory to Market” strategy. More importantly, this proposal in-lines with the initiatives of Canada in addressing the said issues. This project helps Canada's goals to address the greenhouse gas emission by providing the pathways towards a decarbonization of the petrochemicals and enabling the renewable energy and technologies. Further, the scientific and technological outcomes of this proposed project would represent Canada for its contribution to the world in pursuit of energy and environmental remediation. In a broader context, this proposal concerns the health care, environment, and energy that required for the human well-being on the planet.