Special Catalyst or How to Convert Greenhouse Gases into Useful Chemicals

Introduction

Welcome again, dear readers. Today I looked through the modern discoveries in science and found one interesting investigation, published in University of Delaware journal, which was conducted in January 30, 2014. This investigation is about new catalyst that converts greenhouse gas into chemicals. In this post I want to explain the science of this discovery, and to demonstrate its significance for the society and scientific community. By the end of this post you will understand: what is the discovery about, how this innovation works, how this investigation related to chemistry science and why it is important. 

Development of New Catalyst

In January 30, 2014, explorers from the University of Delaware investigated a special catalyst that was able to convert greenhouse gas, which is carbon dioxide (CO2), to carbon monoxide (CO) (see Picture 1). The point is that this catalyst makes the reaction occur with extremely high percentage of efficiency, 92 %.

Picture 1. Converting of Carbon Dioxide (left) to Carbon Monoxide (link)
In fact, this efficiency was achieved by using a selective electrocatalyst that consists of nano-porous silver. In comparison with polycrystalline silver, catalyst that is usually used to convert carbon dioxide into other chemicals, nano-porous silver electrocatalyst is 3000 times more active. The reason of the high activity of new catalyst lies in its structure. Electrocatalyst, discovered by UD (University of Delaware) research group, has inside surface that is very large and extremely curved. This surface is 20 times larger and 20 times more active than polycrystalline silver has.

We have considered the discovery, now let`s discuss this investigation as a chemist. Firstly, this catalyst converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. Actually, this reaction occurs when carbon dioxide is reduced to produce carbon monoxide and oxygen: CO2 --> CO + 1/2 O2

It can be expected that you will ask: what is a catalyst? Catalyst is a compound that increases a chemical reaction, but does not participate in it. It speeds up the reaction by lowering activation energy, energy that is required for the reaction to occur (see Picture 2).

Picture 2. Activation Energy With and Without Catalyst (link)

 

Significance of the New Investigation

The development of new catalyst is very important in different cases. New catalyst converts carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide with extremely high efficiency. As a result, more carbon monoxide is produced. This is very beneficial, because carbon monoxide might be used to elaborate helpful chemicals.

Greenhouse gases have negative impact on the planet, because there are a lot of problems due to them, for example: melting of polar ice caps, impact on weather, damage to agriculture. Therefore, this development is important, because it converts greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, into carbon monoxide, and decrease the amount of danger greenhouse gases present on the planet.

In conclusion, we discussed the investigation discovered by University of Delaware research group. They investigated a catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide with 92% efficacy. Even though its mechanism uses very simple chemistry, it is highly significant to society and scientific community. This catalyst increases the production of carbon monoxide that might be used to elaborate useful chemicals. Also, this development converts CO2, greenhouse gas, into CO. So it decreases the amount of greenhouse gases present on the Earth. This is significant because greenhouse gases are very dangerous to our planet. If you want to research more about this discovery, you can use sources listed in the reference list below.

References:

1. Chen, Zuofeng, Javier J. Concepcion, M. Kyle Brennaman, Peng Kang, Michael R. Norris, Paul G. Hoertz, and Thomas J. Meyer. "Splitting CO2 into CO and O2 by a single catalyst." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109, no. 39 (2012): 15606-15611.
 2. Green Energy. "Greenhouse Gases – The Dangers." Green Energy. http://www.greenenergyhelpfiles.com/articles/17.htm (accessed October 28, 2014).

 3. Hsu, David. "Definition of Catalyst." Chemicool. http://www.chemicool.com/definition/catalyst.html (accessed October 27, 2014).

 4. Lu, Qi, Jonathan Rosen, Yang Zhou, Gregory S. Hutchings, Yannick C. Kimmel, Jingguang G. Chen, and Feng Jiao. "A selective and efficient electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction." Nature communications 5 (2014).
5. Roberts, Karen . "Renewable energy resources." UDaily. http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2014/jan/new-catalyst-013014.html (accessed October 28, 2014).