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Development of Solar-Driven CO2 Conversion Process Based on Earth-Abundant Photocatalysts

Subcategory (under Clean Energy): Solar, CO2 Removal
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 4 - Early prototype
Technology Outline (Process Description)

The layered photocatalysts based on Earth abundant elements have been synthesized. The MXenes based on Ti3C2 and surface engineered mesoporous nitrogen deficient C3N4 have been synthesized. These photocatalysts have further been modified with co-catalysts with different loading concentrations. The co-catalyst (Ceria nanocrystal and MoS2 nanocrystals) modification to tune the over potential requirements and the selectivity for the CO2 conversion. The optimized heterostructured 2-D photocatalysts, MXene-Ceria and MoS2-C3N3 exhibit selective CO2 conversion to C2H5OH and CO, respectively with 7.7% and 11% APCE.

Salient Features/Advantages

  • The Optimized MXene-Ceria (5-TC/Ce) shows CO2 reduction with a drastically enhanced yield of ethanol of the order of 6127 μmolg-1 at 5h with 98% selectivity and 74% quantum efficiency, which is 6 folds higher than that of ethanol produced by the bare CO2.
  • The heterostructure donor-acceptor type photocatalysts mesoporous mpg-C3Nx with varied loading concentrations of MoS2 have been fabricated to improve the CO2 reduction efficacy and selectivity
  • The optimized MS-m-CNx-3 exhibit higher CO formation rate (2095 μ mol g-1) and faradic efficiency ~ 31% which is nearly 3 folds higher than that of MS-m-CN (579 μ mol g-1, and 11%)..

Key Outcomes

  • A facile process for the preparation of heterostructured 2-D photocatalyst.
  • Developed photocatalysts comprise of Earth abundant elements and thus are inexpensive.
  • The optimized heterostructured 2-D photocatalysts, MXene-Ceria and MoS2- C3N3 exhibit selective CO2 conversion to C2H5OH and CO, respectively with 7% and 11% APCE.

IP Protection details

  • Patent filed (Title, national/International): Nil
  • Patents Granted: Nil
  • Copyrights obtained /progress on commercialisation /Pl. specify connect with industry: Promotions, Demonstrations and Trials in progress with various Village Panchayats in different states.

Contact details (for more information)

Supporting Photographs/Images

Organizations involved in the development (logo/name)

CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, India

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