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Research and Development of Thallium Nitride Nanorods (Ta3N5-NRs) for CO2 reduction Photoreactors

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Profile image of Dr Alex Ibhadon

Dr Alex Ibhadon A.O.Ibhadon@hull.ac.uk
Reader, Catalysis and Reactor Engineering

Project Description

Future energy systems will rely, either wholly or predominantly, on renewable energy sources to achieve energy security and mitigate the effect of climate change. The expected future energy transition will require fossil fuels, which are currently the main form of energy storage compounds, to be replaced by carbon-neutral and high energy density storage compounds and fuels. Consequently, energy storage compounds that meet this requirement, must be identified and developed for continuous production to meet future energy needs.

In this regard, the green form of viable energy storage compounds such as hydrogen, methanol and ethanol have been the subject of many reviews for large-scale implementation and storage (Schüth, F. Chemical Compounds for Energy Storage, Chemie Ingenieur Technik 2011, 83, No. 11, 1984–1993). Their production typically involves harvesting wind and/or solar energy and using them as the energy source for producing the compounds. However, the efficiencies for the existing technology options for achieving this are too low and commercially uncompetitive.

The aim of the proposed work is to design and develop a new high efficiency photoelectrochemical (PEC) reactor for CO2 reduction and H2O splitting and the synthesis and characterization of catalyst materials to convert the reduction products of CO2 into dimethyl ether (DME) -a transportation fuel. Our proposed PEC reactor is targeted to achieve around 50% higher efficiency than state-of-the-art. Our proposed catalysts design for CO2 reduction product conversion to DME will achieve over 80% conversion compared to existing processes. This will potentially be an important breakthrough in renewable energy research efforts.

Status Project Live
Funder(s) Royal Society
Value £12,000.00
Project Dates Jul 31, 2021 - Jul 31, 2024

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