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In This Article

  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Protocol
  • Representative Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Materials
  • References
  • Reprints and Permissions

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.......

Representative 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.......

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 21506194, 21676255).

....

Materials

NameCompanyCatalog NumberComments
Ti foil, 99.99%Hebei Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
Pt foil, 99.99%Tianjin Aida Henghao Technology Co., Ltd.
Ammonium fluoride, 98%AladdinA111758Humidity sensitive
Glycol, >99.9%AladdinE103323
Anhydrous ethanol,>99.9%AladdinE111977Flammable
Acetone, >99.5%Hangzhou Shuanglin Chemical Co., Ltd.200-662-2Irritating smell
Nitric acid, 65.0%-68.0%Hangzhou Shuanglin Chemical Co., Ltd.231-714-2Humidity sensitive
Hydrogen peroxide, 30 wt. % in H2OAladdinH112515Strong oxidative
Urea, 99%AladdinU111897
De-ionized water, 99.00%Laboratory made
Xe lamp, CELHXF300/CELHXUV300Beijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Stainless cylinder reactor, CEL-GPPCBeijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Fresnel lens, MYlensMeiying Technology Co., Ltd.
7000 mesh sandpaperZibo Taichuan Abrasives Co., Ltd.
Ultrasonic cleaner, SK2210HPShanghai Kedao Ultrasonic Instrument Co., Ltd.
Thermostatical water bath, DF-101SBoncie Instrument Technology Co., Ltd.
Alligator clipGuangzhou Rongyu Co., Ltd.
DC constant voltage source, DY-150V 2AShanghai Anding Electric Co., Ltd.
Muffle furnace, KSL-1200XHefei Kejing Materials Technolgy Co., Ltd.
Quartz glassLianyungang Weida Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
Thermocouples, WRNK-191KFeiyang Electric Accessories Co., Ltd.
Electronmagnetic stirrer, 85-2Shanghai Zhiwei Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.
Vacuum pump,SHB-IIIAHenan Province Taikang science and education equipment factory
Gas Chromatograph, GC2014SHIMAPZU
HT-PLOT Q capillary columnHychrom
Optical power meter,CEL-NP2000Beijing Zhongjiao Jinyuan Co., Ltd.
Electronic scale, JJ124BCShanghai Jingtian Electronic Instrument Co., Ltd.

References

  1. De-Richter, R. K., Ming, T., Caillol, S. Fighting global warming by photocatalytic reduction of CO2, using giant photocatalytic reactors. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews. 19 (1), 82-106 (2013).
  2. Fang, Y., Wang, X.

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