One-step reforming of CO₂ and CH₄ to high-value liquid chemicals and fuels at room temperature via plasma-driven catalysis

Wang, Li; Yi, Yanhui; Wu, Chunfei; Guo, Hongchen; Tu, Xin

Abstract

Conversion of CO₂ with CH₄ into liquid fuels and chemicals in a single-step catalytic process bypassing the production of syngas remains a challenge. In this study, one-step synthesis of liquid fuels and chemicals (e.g. acetic acid, methanol, ethanol and formaldehyde) from CO₂ and CH₄ has been achieved at room temperature (30°C) and atmospheric pressure for the first time using a novel plasma reactor with a water electrode. The total selectivity to oxygenates was ca. 50-60%, with acetic acid the major component at 40.2% selectivity, the highest value reported for acetic acid so far. Interestingly, direct plasma synthesis of acetic acid from CH₄ and CO₂ is an ideal reaction with a 100% atom economy, but it is almost impossible via thermal catalysis due to the significant thermodynamic barrier. The combination of plasma and catalyst in this process shows great potential for manipulating the distribution of different liquid chemicals.

Citation

Wang, L., Yi, Y., Wu, C., Guo, H., & Tu, X. (2017). One-step reforming of CO₂ and CH₄ to high-value liquid chemicals and fuels at room temperature via plasma-driven catalysis. Angewandte Chemie, 129(44), 13867-13871. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201707131

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 21, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Sep 19, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 23, 2017
• Deposit Date: Aug 30, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2018
• Journal: Angewandte Chemie
• Print ISSN: 1433-7851
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 129
• Issue: 44
• Pages: 13867-13871
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201707131
• Keywords: Non-thermal plasmas; CO₂ conversion; CH₄ activation; Liquid fuels; Plasma-catalysis
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/454307
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ange.201707131/abstract
• Additional Information: Copy of article first published in: Angewandte Chemie, 2017, v.129
• Contract Date: Aug 30, 2017