CFN Colloquium

Emission of CO2, a byproduct from many industrial processes and power plants, has increased with increasing energy demand and growing population. In this talk we will first give a brief summary of CO2 conversion by H2 [1,2], followed by discussing our recent efforts in converting CO2 by light alkanes. Using a combination of kinetic studies, in situ characterization and DFT calculations, we have identified several classes of catalysts that can activate both CO2 and light alkanes [3,4]. We will then discuss how to achieve net-reduction of CO2 using mass and energy balances in thermocatalysis and electrocatalysis [5]. Finally, we will propose reducing CO2 emission by alternative pathways for N2 transformation reactions, which are currently the most CO2-emitting chemical processes [6]. [1] S. Kattel, P. Liu and J.G. Chen, "Tuning Selectivity of CO2 Hydrogenation Reactions at the Metal/Oxide Interface", J. Am. Chem. Soc. 139 (2017) 9739. [2] S. Kattel, P.J. Ramírez, J.G. Chen, J.A. Rodriguez and P. Liu, "Active Sites for CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol on Cu/ZnO Catalysts", Science, 355 (2017) 1296. [3] B. Yan, S. Yao, S. Kattel, Q. Wu, Z. Xie, E. Gomez, P. Liu, D. Su and J.G. Chen, "Active sites for tandem reactions of CO2 reduction and ethane dehydrogenation", PNAS, 115 (2018) 8278. [4] E. Gomez, S. Kattel, B. Yan, S. Yao, P. Liu and J.G. Chen, "Combining CO2 Reduction with Propane Oxidative Dehydrogenation over Bimetallic Catalysts", Nature Commun. 9 (2018) 1398. [5] B.M. Tackett, E. Gomez and J.G. Chen, "Net reduction of CO2 via its thermocatalytic and electrocatalytic transformation reactions in standard and hybrid processes", Nature Catalysis, 2 (2019) 381. [6] J.G. Chen, R.M. Crooks, L.C. Seefeldt, et al. "Beyond Fossil Fuel-Driven Nitrogen Transformations", Science, 360 (2018) 873. Jingguang Chen is the Department Chair and