Nickel Phosphide Photothermal Catalyst Development for CO2-Derived Solar Fuels
Research Mentor(s)
Dr. Mark Bussell
Description
Converting CO2 to CO via the photocatalyzed reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction satisfies a critical step in the production of C1 solar fuels (e.g., CH4, CH3OH) and longer hydrocarbons via the Fischer-Tropsch process. Supported nickel phosphides (NixPy) are an emerging group of photocatalysts with a number of accessible phases. The broad-spectrum absorption of NixPy materials affords photo-induced local heating to drive catalytic processes at mild operating temperatures. In the current project, NixPy with different P/Ni molar ratios are being investigated as RWGS catalysts on silica (SiO¬2) as a relatively inert support. NixPy/SiO2 catalysts (2.5 wt%) were synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation followed by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR); crystalline phases (Ni2P, Ni12P5, Ni3P) were identified using X-ray diffraction and compositions were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); gas composition of RWGS reaction is monitored by GC-FID. Trends of increasing CO selectivity and decreasing CO production rates have emerged as the P/Ni molar ratio increases, while the photo enhancement (light/dark ratio) decreases. Studies are underway to investigate the same NixPy phases on reducible oxide supports for comparison with the silica-supported counterparts to gain insight on the roles of the support and NixPy-support interface in determining the RWGS photocatalytic properties.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CSE - Chemistry
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Nickel Phosphide Photothermal Catalyst Development for CO2-Derived Solar Fuels
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Converting CO2 to CO via the photocatalyzed reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction satisfies a critical step in the production of C1 solar fuels (e.g., CH4, CH3OH) and longer hydrocarbons via the Fischer-Tropsch process. Supported nickel phosphides (NixPy) are an emerging group of photocatalysts with a number of accessible phases. The broad-spectrum absorption of NixPy materials affords photo-induced local heating to drive catalytic processes at mild operating temperatures. In the current project, NixPy with different P/Ni molar ratios are being investigated as RWGS catalysts on silica (SiO¬2) as a relatively inert support. NixPy/SiO2 catalysts (2.5 wt%) were synthesized via incipient wetness impregnation followed by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR); crystalline phases (Ni2P, Ni12P5, Ni3P) were identified using X-ray diffraction and compositions were determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); gas composition of RWGS reaction is monitored by GC-FID. Trends of increasing CO selectivity and decreasing CO production rates have emerged as the P/Ni molar ratio increases, while the photo enhancement (light/dark ratio) decreases. Studies are underway to investigate the same NixPy phases on reducible oxide supports for comparison with the silica-supported counterparts to gain insight on the roles of the support and NixPy-support interface in determining the RWGS photocatalytic properties.