Background: As a leading contributor to global warming increased atmospheric levels of CO2 is a growing global concern. Current trends in catalytic and electrocatalytic research are targeted at producing energy technologies that capture and utilize CO2. One of the most promising methods of creating CO2 zero cycle in catalytics is electroreduction of carbon dioxide. However the present state of development of this technology is plagued with two primary disadvantages: low activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts; and low solubility of CO2 in any solvents. Thus there exists a present market need for innovative electroreduction technologies designed to increase solubility of carbon dioxide in solvents and increase carbon dioxide activity. Metals and metal alloys with their high porosity and surface area are currently being explored as platforms for more efficient CO2 electroreduction. Technology Description: University of New Mexico researchers have developed an innovative method of preparing metals and metal alloys with high porosity and surface area using a sacrificial support method resulting in more molecules of CO2 to active sites increased CO2 solubility and increased CO2 activity. Technology Applications: •Improved catalyst morphology (i.e. surface area and pore size) •Increased CO2 solubility in solvents •High catalytic activity •Increased efficiency •Fuel cell applications
This method results in more molecules of CO2 to active sites increased CO2 solubility and increased CO2 activity.