(560bd) Enhancing the Electrochemical Production of Syngas from Captured CO2 by Using Silver Nano-Structured Electrocatalysts

Global warming has become one of the biggest challenges of the modern era. The most critical of all factors that have exacerbated this problem is the rapid increase in CO₂ pollution. Looking for solutions to this issue, the present work aims to develop a breakthrough technology for the capture and electrochemical reduction of CO₂. The innovation of this project relies on the fact that for the first time, post combustion capture solutions are being incorporated into an electrochemical cell, as electrolyte and CO₂ source, for the conversion of CO₂ into syngas. Despite the promising results obtained through the use of this concept, one of the priorities identified for future work, is the need to develop a better electrocatalyst to improve the invention. Therefore, the goal of the present study is to enhance the electrochemical production of syngas from captured CO₂ by using novel nanostructured Ag electrocatalysts. To reach this goal, the first objective is to establish a procedure to fabricate Ag nanostructures with specific sizes and shapes. The second objective is to produce syngas from CO₂ captured in switchable polarity solvents (SPS) by using the fabricated Ag electrocatalysts. Syngas with H₂:CO rations between 2 and 4, conversions and yields at over 60% are targeted.