The Johannes Kepler University Linz has already successfully developed promising methods; a new finding now puts industrial use firmly within reach.

Several years ago on a laboratory scale, Assoc. Prof. Wolfgang Schöfberger (JKU Institute of Organic Chemistry) developed a method to convert CO₂ into industrial alcohol by using special catalysts. Using suitable catalyzers to convert CO₂ electrochemically into utilizable C1 and C2 building blocks (syngas (CO+H2), methanol, ethanol, formic acid or acetic acid) is technically well established. The problem: "In most cases, we use catalysts made out of metallic copper, silver or gold," says Schöfberger. These materials, however, tend to be unstable under industrial conditions and as a result, they are very expensive. There has been little research into finding alternatives.

JKU researchers have now unveiled a groundbreaking approach to improve the entire process, starting at the idea of producing tiny catalyst molecules that facilitate chemical reactions and extending to incorporating these molecules into electrode materials. This means that these structures can be used for industrial applications.

A Considerable Boost in Efficiency
The method not only improves these catalysts, it also improves the conditions under which they operate, enabling them to perform their function significantly longer than conventional metallic catalyst materials. By taking a comprehensive approach, researchers have been able to deliver an impressive increase in performance when converting CO₂ into other substances by means of electrolysis, and at very high current levels. The system is more highly efficient as only small amount of the catalyst is lost over time.

Schöfberger adds: "In addition to significantly improving the amount of carbon monoxide produced, we provide the scientific community with a wide range of tools." These tools allow researchers to directly improve catalyst and cell performance to convert CO₂ at various scales. This approach is unlocking new opportunities to support eco-friendly and efficient CO₂ utilization technologies.

Wolfgang Schöfberger considers the breakthrough an important step toward addressing the climate crisis: "Our research to develop catalysts capable of electrochemically converting CO₂ is a key step forward. The results not only demonstrate increased efficiency, they also demonstrate real-world applicability in an industrial context that could contribute significantly to reducing CO₂ emissions and drive the vision of a sustainable future forward."

Read the paper at: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(23)00591-X, opens an external URL in a new window