Developing sustainable catalytic conversion of CO2 to value-added chemicals and fuels using operando surface specific X-ray spectroscopy

Research question
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas added to the environment from burning fossil fuels. Using CO2 as a feedstock to produce fuels and chemicals would ultimately reduce our impact on global warming and dependence on fossil fuels. Converting CO2 into valuable compounds is today energy-demanding; a promising way to make it less energy-demanding is to use electrocatalytic reactions. However, a significant knowledge gap on how CO2 reduction occurs prevents the development of efficient catalysts that fulfill both economic and environmental demands. 

The research team proposes combining sample environment cells with operando tools and transient techniques to observe key intermediates and identify redox changes in the catalyst composition, species formed on its surface, and how these respond to external stimulus. 

Sustainability aspects
The knowledge created by this project will inspire the development of new catalysts for converting CO2 emissions back into sustainable fuels and highly desirable chemicals. This project thus has the potential to mitigate climate change and secure our energy and chemical supply in a fossil-free future.