The University of Toronto Engineering researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the field of carbon capture and storage with the development of a new catalyst. This catalyst has the ability to efficiently convert captured carbon into valuable products, even in the presence of contaminants that degrade the performance of current catalysts. This discovery is a crucial step towards more economically favorable techniques for carbon capture and storage that can be integrated into existing industrial processes.
New Catalyst Design
The team of researchers, led by Professor David Sinton, utilized electrolyzers to convert CO2 and electricity into products such as ethylene and ethanol. By using a solid catalyst, the conversion reaction occurs on the catalyst’s surface when CO2 gas, electrons, and a water-based liquid electrolyte come together. The catalyst is typically made of copper, but may also include other metals or organic compounds to enhance the system’s efficiency. The function of the catalyst is to accelerate the reaction and minimize the development of unwanted by-products, such as hydrogen gas, which can reduce the overall process efficiency.
While many catalysts have been developed worldwide for carbon conversion, most of them are designed to operate with pure CO2 feed. However, when dealing with carbon emissions from sources like smokestacks, the feed is likely to be contaminated with impurities like sulfur oxides (SO2). These impurities pose a challenge to catalyst performance as they bind to the catalyst’s surface, reducing the sites available for the CO2 reaction and leading to the formation of undesired chemicals.
To address the issue of impurities, the research team made two key modifications to a typical copper-based catalyst. They added a layer of polyteterafluoroethylene (Teflon) to one side of the catalyst, altering the surface chemistry to inhibit SO2 poisoning. On the opposite side, a layer of Nafion, an electrically-conductive polymer, was added to create a barrier that prevents SO2 from reaching the catalyst surface. This innovative design allowed the new catalyst to maintain a Faraday efficiency of 50% over 150 hours, even in the presence of SO2 at a concentration of about 400 parts per million.
The team’s approach of modifying the catalyst coatings without altering its composition holds promise for widespread application. Other research teams with high-performing catalysts can adopt similar coatings to enhance resistance to sulfur oxide poisoning. While sulfur oxides are the primary impurities in waste streams, the researchers plan to investigate the impact of other chemical contaminants on catalyst performance. By tackling the full array of impurities, the team aims to further improve the efficiency and resilience of catalysts in carbon capture and storage.
The development of a new catalyst capable of withstanding impurities has opened up new possibilities for efficient carbon capture and storage methods. By addressing the challenges posed by contaminants like sulfur oxides, the research team has paved the way for advancements in cost-effective carbon capture solutions. Through ongoing research and innovation, the potential for widespread adoption of these catalysts in various industries looks promising, bringing us closer to achieving sustainable carbon reduction goals.
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