Understanding the material structure-activity correlation in plasma catalytic CO2 conversion (PLASMACAT). 01/04/2019 - 31/03/2021

Abstract

Plasma catalysis is a new emerging field of conversion technology, particularly focused on converting relatively stable gases such as CO2 to basic chemical building blocks by using electrical energy. It consist of highly energetic accelerated electrons producing a cocktail of activated species such as ions, radicals and excited species. To be able to enhance its energy efficiency and create selective conversions, packing materials and catalysts are being introduced in the plasma. Although it is well accepted that there is a mutual interaction of the materials on the plasma properties and vice versa, the underlying mechanisms and even more the specific material properties influencing plasma conversion, selectivity and energy efficiency are still largely unknown. Therefore, a systematic study applying know-how of the applicant and supervisor in controlled material synthesis will be integrated in plasma catalytic studies, a new field of research for the applicant. This will permit a systematic structure-activity correlation, identifying the impact of yet unrevealed material properties on the plasma characteristics and performance (conversion, selectivity and energy efficiency) determined by the specific plasma environment. Focus will be put on studying the impact of metal dispersion and metal support interactions on the plasma characteristics, plasma catalytic conversion and selectivity as well as its stability. Elucidating the role of packing geometry on plasma catalysis is a particular aspect of this MSCA, which is expected to have unique behavior in plasma discharge and characteristics and hence conversion and selectivity. This is a feature distinctive for plasma and not encountered in classical catalytic processes.

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  • Research Project

Understanding the material structure-activity correlation in plasma catalytic CO2 conversion (PLASMACAT). 01/05/2018 - 31/03/2019

Abstract

Till now, plasma catalysis has been studied in different reactors, under divergent conditions and in a fragmented way, making it difficult to obtain systematic information on the different aspects of plasma catalysis. Therefore, the aim of this project is to study the impact of materials, controlled in particular properties (properties of the support such as shape, metal dispersion and metal-support interaction), that have not been studied in a systematic way before, to elucidate some of the underlying mechanisms and properties not yet identified. Specifically, this project aims at unravelling the impact of catalyst dispersion to better understand the impact of the properties of the deposited catalyst with respect to activity, selectivity and its stability in dry reforming of CO2 and methane

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project