Semiconductor photo-electrocatalysts for enhanced selectivity in CO2 Reduction Reactions

Global warming as a result of industrial age CO2 emissions is a prime societal concern with a growing popular awareness calling for policy measures. A behavioral change is important, but technology also needs to come with solutions to reduce emissions and, hopefully, even reverse it. The acid rain crisis of the 80's has been resolved by the introduction of newly developed catalyst convertors together with proper environmental policies. A similar approach is needed for the CO2 crisis, which poses an even larger potential threat to the planet. With a rapidly growing world population and continuous increase in energy demand, however, it is understood that a lone switch to renewable energies will not suffice to keep the temperature rise well below +2 degree C above pre-industrial levels. In addition, carbon dioxide is not only a product of energy by combustion, but a waste product of chemical industry as well. At imec we will be looking into concepts for simultaneous capture and conversion of CO2 directly from air or point sources such as factory chimneys (flue gas) to enable residential and industrial installations for local production of renewable fuels and synthesis of fine chemicals. At large scale, it will help reduce CO2 emissions and could be the technological instrument to eventually reverse the trend with 'negative emissions'. During the PhD we will investigate novel nanostructured electrode architectures for the efficient electroreduction of CO2 and/or water to valuable chemicals. These novel electrode architectures are of interest for both electrolyzers in liquid cells as well as for gas diffusion electrodes which capture the gases directly from the ambient.