Dual function materials for
integrated carbon dioxide capture and utilisation
A dual function material (DFM) with adsorbent and catalytic capability takes advantage of an exothermic chemical transformation of carbon dioxide to drive the endothermic desorption process from adsorbent sites, avoiding temperature or pressure swing steps that are conventionally employed. Our work in this area explores experimental development and testing of dual function materials, optimisation across different scales and technoeconomic assessment of new DFM processes.
Dual function materials combine carbon dioxide capture with hydrogenation reactions. Hydrogen can be generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy, allowing this technology to also function as a chemical storage mode for these variable energy sources.
Recent publications:
Carbon dioxide hydrogenation and tandem catalysis
The changing energy landscape brings the opportunity to carbon dioxide to produce traditionally petroleum-derived chemicals. Hydrogenation and hydrocarbon reforming reactions can enable us to utilise wasted carbon building blocks such as carbon dioxide emissions and landfill gas. Our work in this area involves the development of robust high activity catalysts alongside technoeconomic assessment and quantification of carbon footprint at a process level to devise net carbon consuming processes.
The carbon dioxide emissions associated for a given production method of hydrogen can greatly affect the carbon footprint of some carbon dioxide utilisation schemes. This figure is taken from our recent publication entitled “Identifying Commercial Opportunities for the Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction” (2021) where we show that low emission sources of hydrogen can be used to devise net carbon dioxide consuming processes for the production of CO and syngas.
Recent publications: