Doctoral themes 2023
Electrocatalytic functionalization of carbon dioxide catalyzed by main-group and transition metal complexes under mild conditions
Supervisors
Luísa Martins, luisammartins@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Tiago Cruz, carpinteirocruz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Registration Institution
Instituto Superior Técnico
Project description
The massification of industrial processes has contributed to the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, disrupting the global water cycle. Because of this, the mitigation of CO2 has become a priority. Selective catalytic functionalization of CO2 to one-carbon compounds, such as formic acid, methanol or methane is of the utmost importance since fine chemistry and energy sectors heavily rely on the latter. Homogeneous catalysis has emerged as an invaluable tool, but still several limitations exist such as low activity/selectivity or the use of scarce and expensive noble elements.
This project intends to functionalize CO2> to one-carbon compounds utilizing electrocatalytic methodologies. To that effect, electrochemically active complexes of earth-abundant metals shall be synthesized and characterized by a variety of techniques. Subsequently, the new complexes will be used as catalysts to the functionalization of CO2, whose activity shall be amplified by utilizing electrochemical stimuli. This project fits points 12 and 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, as it aims to contribute to the global action to stop climate change.
Keywords
Carbon dioxide functionalization
Electrocatalysis
Main-group and transition metal complexes
