University of Waterloo

Purpose

Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic CO2 reduction technologies have been developed and exhibit a great potential to transform CO2 into liquid fuels such as methanol (a single carbon compound). As a result, carbon neutral transportation is possible by extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and transforming it into a fuel. To commercialize these technologies will require overcoming technological barriers that include low selectivity and low productivity of multi-carbon compounds. The proposed project will attempt to overcome these barriers by developing new semiconductor/electrocatalyst heterostructures and plasmonic electrocatalysts. These electrocatalysts are expected to improve both selectivity and the production rate of C2 (e.g. acetate) and C2+ products. Improved selectivity and production rates using the new electrocatalysts will also be achieved at low current density and overpotential. The resulting technology will be demonstrated over multiple operating days using a continuous flow cell. Combustion and emission properties of the derived methanol and C2+ liquid solar fuels will be investigated and characterized in laboratory flames at the NRC at conditions found in practical engines.