Background
The electrochemical conversion of CO2 to multicarbon compounds such as ethylene, ethanol, acetic acid, propylene, and propanol would be a major scientific and technological breakthrough for industry and the economy. Avoiding fossil fuels, CO2 conversion could exploit cheap and abundant renewable electricity and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Outcomes
Knowledge and outputs from the Research Themes will be applied to address the grand challenge of C-C coupling during CO2 electrolysis, a key reaction step in producing any multicarbon compound. Integrating innovations in catalysts, electrode, membrane and electrolyser design will significantly improve energy efficiency. Optimising operating life under practical working conditions will facilitate further scale-up and pre-commercialisation development.
FP1A: Ethylene
Program Lead – Professor Zaiping Guo
Ethylene is the world’s most produced organic compound (annual market value of ~$100 billion). Electrochemical synthesis of ethylene from CO2 or CO is of intensive interest but is limited by unsatisfactory selectivity and energy efficiency. Building on existing research strength within the Centre, this project aims to develop molecular complex and inorganic-organic composite catalysts to break the linear scaling relationship that constrain conventional catalyst designs. The project will further harness advances from all four Research Themes to enable more energy-efficient and stable operation of CO2-to-ethylene electrolysers.
FP1B: Capture and Conversion
Program Lead – Professor John Zhu
This program aims to explore the integration of upstream CO2 capture and downstream electrochemical conversion by direct electrolysis of capture media, such as amine and carbonate salts. The CO2 valorisation chain – from CO2 capture to electrochemical CO2 reduction – requires significant energy and capital inputs in each of the capture, separation, purification, conversion, and product separation step. The integrated technological pathway offers a potential solution to energy- and cost-efficient utilisation of CO2.