Catalysis by Metal-based Zeolites for Bulk Chemicals Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide and Renewably Resourced Hydrogen

CO₂hydrogenation is key for the storage of excess renewable electricity available in the form of electrolytically derived H₂. Storing electrical energy in chemical bonds, thereby converting CO₂into useful chemical building blocks, has clear advantages given the existence of current chemicals production processes. Large-scale CO₂reduction with renewable H₂remains a challenge because the current generation of solid catalysts are not active, selective and stable enough.

In this project, we will build further on our recent activities for catalytic CO₂reduction into CH₄by nickel, but the attention will be on designing new bifunctional catalysts, which are able to perform C-C coupling from initially activated CO₂. This will be done  by combining supported metal catalysts, able to activate CO₂into either CO, CH₄or CH₃OH, followed by their subsequent conversion into higher hydrocarbons by adding functionalized zeolites.

The research will focus on finding the right combination of CO₂-activating metal nanoparticles (in terms of location, particle size, alloying, and promotors) and zeolite-based supports (in which acid strength and distribution will be controlled). Inspiration for the latter system will be derived from known methane dehydroaromatization, methanol-to-hydrocarbons and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalysts. Mechanistic understanding will be gathered by operando spectroscopy and microscopy.

Key words:

• Renewable energy storage
• CO₂ hydrogenation
• Zeolite-based chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Mechanistic understanding