Nano-Integration of Metal-Organic Frameworks and Catalysis for the Uptake and Utilisation of CO2

Lead Research Organisation: University of Bath
Department Name: Chemistry

Abstract

Carbon dioxide levels have risen steadily with the combustion of fossil fuels and additional positive feedback effects due to natural CO2 sources. Recycling of CO2 driven by solar/renewable energy is an effective approach to address the problem. In a recent edition of Science (25th Sept 2009) entirely dedicated to this problem the opportunities and potential benefits arising form CO2 uptake from the open air (as opposed to capture during production) have been highlighted. The urgent need for capture and utilisation of CO2 is self-evident. Research in CO2 capture and in CO2 utilisation is currently based on a range of separate technologies and often ineffective e.g. for amine or alkaline sequestration. By combining ( nano-integrating ) capture and utilisation into a single continuous process the efficiency can be improved and at the same time the energy required to drive CO2 reduction is minimised. This project focuses on one-step CO2 capture and utilisation by linking catalysts directly with a novel CO2 absorber. Nano-scale-integration of CO2 uptake and utilisation processes will provide new highly efficient single-step processes to turn CO2 into useful products (polymers, carbohydrates, fuels). The main vision for this project is the idea of a catalyst nanostructure embedded into/immobilised onto a CO2 supplying membrane (Metal-Organic-Framework, MOF) substrate so that enhanced localised diffusion can deliver a high rate of CO2 into the active catalyst site.Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a front-runner for the uptake and storage of CO2 but have never been employed to support catalysts. Effective catalysts for the conversion of CO2 into useful chemical products have been discovered but usually require high concentration industrial CO2. In this project two areas of existing strength in the South-West, CO2 absorption and catalytic utilisation, are combined to provide new nano-structured functional catalyst membranes tailored to both capture and concentrate CO2 from the free atmosphere and convert it into useful products in a single continuous process. The developed technology based on functionalised and specifically tailored MOF-membranes will be entirely new. The catalytic processes will be driven by solar energy (photo- or bio-catalysis), renewable energy, or waste heat from carbon creating processes. Nanotechnology is integral to this project. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising materials for the specific absorption and storage of high concentrations of CO2. In a new approach the MOFs will be made into nanostructured membranes, which will concentrate CO2 from the atmosphere and feed it directly into a nanostructured catalyst layer. As the CO2 is reduced, fresh CO2 will be continuously drawn in with the catalyst located in the diffusion layer (with effective hemi-spherical diffusion of CO2 to the nano-catalyst). Three types of catalysis will be investigated for CO2 reduction: (i) direct gas phase reduction of CO2 to CO using a nanostructured catalyst and integrated MOF/catalyst materials for one step carbon capture and utilisation, (ii) CO2 will be electro-reduced on platinum or copper nanoparticles (or similar nano-structured catalysts) to form ethylene and higher hydrocarbons with nanostructured catalysts increasing the selectivity of process, (iii) bio-films of cyanobacteria will be used to fix CO2 from the MOF under illumination in a MFC setup. Nanostructuring of the conducting MOF surface with the biofilm attached is extremely important for good bacterial adhesion and function.Stages of effective modules (e.g. producing ethylene and producing CO) will be combined into reactors to deliver products of higher value (e.g. polymers, solvents, or fuels) in the second stage of the project. Parts and the overall process will be carefully assessed by life-cycle analysis and the desired end product will be a carbon negative process .

Planned Impact

This project will help developing CO2 capture and utilisation technology designed to operate in open air. This kind of process suffers from the problem of dilution of CO2 in air (ca. 0.04%) but it benefits from potentially lower bulk operating costs when installed in suitable spaces and the ability to counter-balance the effects of mobile emitters such as cars and aircraft (see D.W. Keith, Science, 2009, 325, 1654). The process when sufficiently cheap and effective could be operated dispersed in smaller units or concentrated at a site of solar energy availability. With these boundary conditions set, the following impact scenarios are feasible: Impact on society: any contribution to CO2-lowering technology will reap future economic benefits in terms of carbon credits and a bonus in providing alternatives to large scale and potentially harmful geo-engineering solutions (e.g. ocean fertilisation). In addition to providing (i) technical development and (ii) fundamental insights into the use of nano-structured membranes, the project will deliver (iii) training for a skilled workforce to continue work on developing CO2 reduction technology, and (iv) new links to industry with the need to reduce CO2 output. The research effort will lead to novel devices with benefits in future carbon credit economic systems and IP for this technology may become more and more valuable over the coming years. Solar-driven devices which would convert CO2 from the air to - for example - methanol could be operated to provide fuel for personal use or polymer precursors for industry and this would lead to a complete change in the economy back to local producers with responsible use of energy and community awareness of the production process. Impact on industry: the availability of novel technologies and materials will create a new branch of manufacturing with world-wide distribution of carbon capture devices or a new mechanism for carbon credit trading. Training of researchers during the course of the project will provide skilled workers and experts. Dissemination of researh results from this porject may also stimulate new industry based research projects into improved devices or better designs with higher economic impact. Impact on science: the new knowledge, new materials, and in particular any proof-of-principle device results will have a considerable impact in science world-wide. This will stimulate new research and a broader screening effort for improved MOF or COF materials for nanostructured catalyst systems. The effect of pore size and shape and the availablity of hierarchicallly structured membranes will provide a boost in related sectors of science and engineering. UK science will be seen as spear-heading a technological break-through with wide implications and applications. The use of novel substrate materials in catalysis and in electrocatalysis will have wider applications and may lead to further applications.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Description (A) new CO2 adsorbing MOF systems have been developed and tested. These materials have then been shown to be accessible in nano-particulate form, as membranes, and as chemically modified membranes. This work led to new industry interactions and follow-on projects with commercial value.

(B) new micro-biological processes have been developed to harvest CO2 and sunlight. Particular micro-organisms have been introduced into microbial reactors and shown to be effective. New algal micro-solar-cells have been developed and tested in terms of robustness and efficiency. This work led to new follow-up projects and devices.

(C) new catalysts and catalyst composites for the high temperature conversion of CO2 into Fischer-Tropsch products have been developed. These high profile technology achievements have led to follow-on industry contacts and projects exploring for example conversion of industrial CO2 streams.

(D) the impact and sustainability of technologies has been assessed for all parts of the project and a much closer working relationship between engineers and sustainability prediction has been evolved. In addition of publication on this topic new long term collaborations have been started.

(E) new electrochemical methods for the assessment of MOF reactivity have been developed and new insights into the effects on ion flow coupled to redox reactions have emerged. our work has highlighted the effects of micro-pore pH that is crucial for the integrity of MOF materials. This work has been further developed into MOF "nanofluidics" where we now demonstrate ion flow phenomena for a new generation of "bio-mimetic" energy harvesting and desalination methods.
Exploitation Route Several parts of the project benefited from follow up projects with industry and new long term collaboration with industry has evolved in particular for membrane and catalysis processes.

The emphasis on CO2 reduction and conversion also led to a community with wider interest in sustainable technologies and several follow up projects (associated for example with the DTC and with PhD projects) focused on CO2 conversion.

The challenge of effective CO2 conversion is huge and work on-going to exploit some of the developments from this project. The idea of combined uptake and catalytic conversion in one process lives on but has now broadened to other classes of materials outside of the MOF sector.

Outreach activities were useful to link to the public and to highlight the on-going (EPSRC-funded) effort in solving big problems facing the future of mankind.
Sectors Energy

Environment

 
Description In addition to resulting in a broad range of academic output and achievements, this project allowed better interactions to industry to be developed. Initially, this was possible through the advisory board meeting and discussions, but subsequently a multitude of follow-up work has developed focusing on (i) new catalysis methods, (ii) new algal and microbial flow through reactor systems, (iii) new classes of MOFs in membranes and water purification, (iv) better provision of cradle-to-grave analysis tools to forecast technology impact and long term sustainability.
First Year Of Impact 2010
Sector Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology