Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ is one of the promising approaches to tackling climate change. Carbon dioxide can be converted into valuable fuels and chemicals by use of specialty catalysts and electrical energy for products like methane, methanol, or carbon monoxide for different industrial applications. This session brings together science-based electrocatalytic CO 2 conversion, emphasized recent advances, and a role in sustainable energy and carbon management. In the electrocatalytic process, CO2 was reduced at the electrocatalyst surface in contact with protons and electrons to build new chemical bonds. Probably much would depend on the choice of electrocatalyst. Copper-based catalysts were thus proved effective in the formation of hydrocarbons such as methane and ethylene, while silver and gold would produce carbon monoxide selectively. Optimization of catalyst composition and reaction conditions should enable the scientists to fine-tune the conversion process to produce specific products that are worth their cost for purposes of energy and industry. A further benefit of electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion is that this process can be hybridized with renewable sources of electrical energy. Thus, electricity could be generated from solar or wind sources to power the process such that the entire process of CO₂ conversion may be a clean and sustainable system for addressing the CO₂ problem. This would allow carbon-neutral fuels to be produced; in this case, all the CO₂ emitted during the use of fuels would be captured and converted back into fuel for a closed carbon loop. Additionally, the process itself would decrease CO2 emissions from industrial sources, aiding the global efforts towards CCU. Electrosynthesis routes of CO₂ to fuels or chemicals offer opportunities for developing alternative fuels and chemicals infrastructure to substitute for fossil-based products. Methanol from CO₂ is a versatile platform for chemical synthesis, a product that includes additives for fuels and polymers and many others. Researchers will look at scaling up solutions that make these processes economically viable and environmentally friendly by synthesizing efficient electrocatalysts.The electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ is a promising approach to addressing climate change. By using specialized catalysts and electrical energy, carbon dioxide can be transformed into valuable fuels and chemicals, such as methane, methanol, or carbon monoxide, for various industrial applications. This session will explore science-based advances in electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion, focusing on its role in sustainable energy and carbon management.

In the electrocatalytic process, CO₂ is reduced at the electrocatalyst surface, where it interacts with protons and electrons to form new chemical bonds. The choice of electrocatalyst significantly influences the outcome of this process. For instance, copper-based catalysts have proven effective in forming hydrocarbons such as methane and ethylene, while silver and gold selectively produce carbon monoxide. By optimizing catalyst composition and reaction conditions, scientists can fine-tune the conversion process to produce specific, cost-effective products for energy and industrial applications.

A further advantage of electrocatalytic CO₂ conversion is the potential for hybridization with renewable electrical energy sources. Solar or wind-generated electricity could power the conversion process, creating a clean, sustainable system for managing CO₂. This would allow for the production of carbon-neutral fuels; in this scenario, all the CO₂ emitted during fuel use would be captured and converted back into fuel, creating a closed carbon loop. Additionally, the process itself would help decrease CO₂ emissions from industrial sources, supporting global efforts toward carbon capture and utilization (CCU).

Electrosynthesis routes for converting CO₂ into fuels or chemicals provide opportunities to develop an alternative infrastructure for fuels and chemicals, replacing fossil-based products. Methanol derived from CO₂ is a versatile platform for chemical synthesis, useful as an additive for fuels, polymers, and various other products. Researchers are focused on scaling up these solutions, aiming to make the processes both economically viable and environmentally friendly through the synthesis of efficient electrocatalysts.