CO2 Photoreduction to CH4 Performance Under Concentrating Solar Light

Summary

We present a protocol for improving the performance of CO₂ photoreduction to CH₄ by heightening the incident light intensity via concentrating solar energy technology.

Abstract

We demonstrate a method for the enhancement of CO₂ photoreduction. As the driving force of a photocatalytic reaction is from solar light, the basic idea is to use concentration technology to raise the incident solar light intensity. Concentrating a large-area light onto a small area cannot only increase light intensity, but also reduce the catalyst amount, as well as the reactor volume, and increase the surface temperature. The concentration of light can be realized by different devices. In this manuscript, it is realized by a Fresnel lens. The light penetrates the lens and is concentrated on a disc-shaped catalyst. The results show that both the reaction rate and the total yield are efficiently increased. The method can be applied to most CO₂ photoreduction catalysts, as well as to similar reactions with a low reaction rate at natural light.

Introduction

The utilization of fossil fuels is accompanied by large amounts of CO₂ emission, contributing greatly to global warming. CO₂ capture, storage, and conversion are essential to reduce the CO₂ content in the atmosphere¹. The photoreduction of CO₂ to hydrocarbons can reduce CO₂, convert CO₂ to fuels, and save solar energy. However, CO₂ is an extremely stable molecule. Its C=O bond possesses a higher dissociation energy (about 750 kJ/mol)². This means that CO₂ is very hard to be activated and transformed, and only short wavelength lights w....

Protocol

Caution: Please consult all relevant Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) before operation. Several chemicals are flammable and highly corrosive. Concentrating light can cause harmful light intensity and temperature increases. Please use all appropriate safety devices such as personal protective equipment (safety glasses, gloves, lab coats, pants, etc.).

1. Catalyst Preparation

1. Preparation of TiO₂ by anodization
   Note: Anodization uses metal foils and a Pt foil as two counter electrodes. The two electrodes are put into the electrolyte. Using electricity, the metal foils at the anode site ....

Results

The original photocatalytic reactor system mainly contains two components, a Xe lamp and a stainless cylinder reactor. For the concentrating light reactor system, we added a Fresnel lens and a catalyst holder, as shown in Figure 1. The Fresnel lens is used to concentrate the light in a smaller area. As the light has been concentrated, the catalyst must be placed in a lit area; therefore, the catalyst is made into disc shape, and a holder is used to hold the c.......

Discussion

Concentrating light reduces the light incident area and requires the use of a disc-shaped catalyst or a so-called fixed-bed reactor to hold the catalyst. Since the light source is usually a round-shaped lamp, the shape of the catalyst should also be round. To obtain a round disc, it is possible to press the powder into a disk by tableting or to change the metal foil into an oxide by anodization. The anodization method uses electricity to oxidize the metal to an oxide semiconductor. As the metal precursor is already a she.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Ti foil, 99.99%	Hebei Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
Pt foil, 99.99%	Tianjin Aida Henghao Technology Co., Ltd.
Ammonium fluoride, 98%	Aladdin	A111758	Humidity sensitive
Glycol, >99.9%	Aladdin	E103323
Anhydrous ethanol,>99.9%	Aladdin	E111977	Flammable
Acetone, >99.5%	Hangzhou Shuanglin Chemical Co., Ltd.	200-662-2	Irritating smell
Nitric acid, 65.0%-68.0%	Hangzhou Shuanglin Chemical Co., Ltd.	231-714-2	Humidity sensitive
Hydrogen peroxide, 30 wt. % in H2O	Aladdin	H112515	Strong oxidative
Urea, 99%	Aladdin	U111897
De-ionized water, 99.00%	Laboratory made
Xe lamp, CELHXF300/CELHXUV300	Beijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Stainless cylinder reactor, CEL-GPPC	Beijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Fresnel lens, MYlens	Meiying Technology Co., Ltd.
7000 mesh sandpaper	Zibo Taichuan Abrasives Co., Ltd.
Ultrasonic cleaner, SK2210HP	Shanghai Kedao Ultrasonic Instrument Co., Ltd.
Thermostatical water bath, DF-101S	Boncie Instrument Technology Co., Ltd.
Alligator clip	Guangzhou Rongyu Co., Ltd.
DC constant voltage source, DY-150V 2A	Shanghai Anding Electric Co., Ltd.
Muffle furnace, KSL-1200X	Hefei Kejing Materials Technolgy Co., Ltd.
Quartz glass	Lianyungang Weida Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
Thermocouples, WRNK-191K	Feiyang Electric Accessories Co., Ltd.
Electronmagnetic stirrer, 85-2	Shanghai Zhiwei Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
Vacuum pump,SHB-IIIA	Henan Province Taikang science and education equipment factory
Gas Chromatograph, GC2014	SHIMAPZU
HT-PLOT Q capillary column	Hychrom
Optical power meter,CEL-NP2000	Beijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Electronic scale, JJ124BC	Shanghai Jingtian Electronic Instrument Co., Ltd.