Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Fuels and Fuel Precursors

• Applicant: Dr. Julia Schöffel
• Subject Area: Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: from 2009 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 138057527

The overall technical goal of the project is to develop efficient catalysts for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to either carbon monoxide (CO) or formic acid (HCOOH). The electrochemical conversion of CO2 to CO or formic acid represents a means of recycling carbon since CO or formic acid can be used as fuels in fuel cells and as feedstocks in the manufacturing of liquid fuels and specialty chemicals. The specific area of emphasis in this project is the design of new multi-electron inorganic catalysts that catalyze the reduction of CO2 to CO rapidly and extremely close to the thermodynamic potential for this process. These electrocatalysts will be based on dinuclear copper and di- and trinuclear nickel complexes.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Clifford P. Kubiak, Ph.D.