CAREER: SusChEM: Activation and Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Abundant Metal Complexes and Development of K-12 Electrochemical Educational Projects

虽然二氧化碳目前被视为化石燃料燃烧的废物副产品和导致气候变化的大气污染物，但它也是自然界中用于化学合成和能量储存的主要组成部分。在这个项目中，杨博士正在研究如何模仿大自然有效利用二氧化碳（CO2）形成更有用产品的方法。为了实现这一目标，杨博士正在探索受天然酶活性位点启发的新型金属化合物。这项研究的具体重点是将二氧化碳转化为一氧化碳，为将二氧化碳从有害废物转化为工业过程中合成有价值的碳基产品和燃料的主要原料提供途径。一氧化碳目前主要是通过燃烧化石燃料资源产生的；然而，这项研究采取了另一种方法，利用电力形式的能源，这有可能利用太阳能收集和其他可再生能源生产方法来发电。因此，这项研究的目标代表了对化学材料和燃料实现碳中和循环的重要的更广泛的社会影响。后者可以扩大可再生资源的使用，提高我国能源的独立性，减少对化石燃料资源的依赖。杨教授还参与了几个外展项目，这些项目旨在激发K-12学生对实验科学的兴趣，重点关注传统上代表性不足或服务不足的人群。这些计划的目标是鼓励科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）职业，以扩大未来专业人员的基础，为持续的国家技术创新和增长提供必要的基础。在化学部化学催化项目的资助下，加州大学欧文分校的Jenny Y. Yang博士正在合成一系列具有近似路易斯酸功能的配体的过渡金属配合物。过渡金属中心和路易斯酸官能团定位为CO2还原的协同活化。这种CO协同活化的灵感来自于镍铁[NiFe]一氧化碳脱氢酶的活性位点，它以高速率、选择性和效率催化CO2还原为CO。目标是：1)研究过渡金属配合物中近似路易斯酸对轻度还原电位下CO2活化的协同作用；2)将这些知识应用于开发丰富的金属电催化剂，以快速有效地将CO2还原为CO。第一个目标是提供一般适用于还原产物CO2活化的信息。第二个目标侧重于减少CO，这是一种用于燃料和其他高价值产品的多功能C1前体。减少二氧化碳的新催化剂具有重要的广泛影响，因为它们有利于可再生能源燃料循环中的二氧化碳回收或纳入有用材料。进步是通过催化剂速率、稳定性、选择性和过电位（效率）的改进来定量衡量的。杨博士还积极参与了几个外展项目，指导和激励K-12学生的STEM职业。这个职业奖促进了教师学者在其科学生涯开始时的发展。

CAREER: SusChEM: Activation and Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 by Abundant Metal Complexes and Development of K-12 Electrochemical Educational Projects Although carbon dioxide is currently viewed as a waste by-product in the burning of fossil fuels and an atmospheric pollutant with contributions to climate change, it is also the primary building block used in nature for chemical synthesis and energy storage. In this project, Dr. Yang is investigating how to mimic nature's method of efficiently using carbon dioxide (CO2) to form more useful products. To achieve this goal, Dr. Yang is exploring new metal compounds inspired by the active site of natural enzymes. The specific focus of the research is to convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, providing a pathway to turn CO2 from a harmful waste product into a major feedstock in industrial processes that synthesize valuable carbon-based products and fuels. Carbon monoxide is currently generated primarily by burning fossil fuel resources; however this research takes an alternative approach, using energy in the form of electricity, which has the potential to capitalize on energy generation by solar energy collection and other renewable-energy production methods. As a result, the goals of this research represent an important broader societal impact towards accessing carbon-neutral cycles for chemical materials and fuels. The latter may enable the expanded use of renewable resources for energy, enhancing our national energy independence and reducing reliance on fossil fuel resources. Professor Yang is also involved in several outreach programs that inspire excitement about experimental science in K-12 students, with an emphasis on traditionally underrepresented or under-served populations. The goals of these programs are to encourage science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers in order to broaden the base of future professionals necessary for continued national technological innovation and growth. With funding from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Dr. Jenny Y. Yang of the University of California, Irvine is synthesizing a series of transition metal complexes with ligands that contain proximate Lewis acid functionality. The transition metal center and Lewis acid functionality are positioned for cooperative activation of CO2 reduction. This type of cooperative CO2 activation is inspired by the active site of the nickel-iron [NiFe] carbon monoxide dehydrogenases, which catalyze the reduction of CO2 to CO at high rates, selectivity, and efficiency. The goals are to 1) investigate the cooperative effect of proximate Lewis acids in transition metal complexes towards the activation of CO2 at mild reduction potentials, and 2) apply this knowledge toward the development of abundant metal electrocatalysts for fast and efficient CO2 reduction to CO. The first goal furnishes information generally applicable for CO2 activation to reduced products. The second goal focuses on reduction to CO, a versatile C1 precursor for fuels and other high value products. New catalysts for CO2 reduction have significant broader impact, since they are beneficial for CO2 recycling in renewable energy fuel cycles or incorporation into useful materials. Progress is quantitatively measured by improvements in catalyst rate, stability, selectivity, and overpotential (efficiency). Dr. Yang is also actively involved in several outreach programs that instruct and excite students about STEM careers in K-12 students. This CAREER award fosters the development of teacher-scholars at the start of their scientific careers.