Artificial photosynthesis to convert CO2 into solar fuels: Can we do better than Mother Nature?

Kuei-Hsien Chen; Li-Chyong Chen

doi:10.21767/2471-9889-C1-003

Artificial photosynthesis to convert CO2 into solar fuels: Can we do better than Mother Nature?

Joint Event: 5^th International Conference on Green Chemistry and Technology & 6^th International Conference on Environmental Chemistry and Engineering

July 24-26, 2017 Rome, Italy

Kuei-Hsien Chen and Li-Chyong Chen

Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences - Academia Sinica, Taiwan
2National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Trends in Green chem

Abstract:

Finding effective ways for conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons (as energy fuels or chemical feedstock) is highly desirable to achieve sustainable development. Artificial photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbons such as methanol makes possible simultaneous solar energy harvesting and CO2 reduction, two birds with one stone for the energy and environmental issues. In this talk, I will overview the current status in artificial photosynthesis and present our progress in green processing of earth-abundant and environment-friendly semiconductors to achieve the goal. In our attempt, modified graphene oxides (GOs) has been utilized to prove the concept and showed 4 times enhancement in activity over a commercial TiO2 (P25). Further modification including copper nanoparticle addition to form hybrids to achieve 60 times enhancement in catalytic activity has been demonstrated. On the other hand, a SnS2 with carbon addition yield quantum efficiency up to 0.7% to convert CO2 into acetaldehyde, which is highly valuable in polymer industry. The conversion efficiency is comparable to that of photosynthesis in nature and sheds light for a brighter future. Detailed preparation, characterization, and performance of the catalysts will be presented. The role and interplay of the constituent components will also be discussed.