🌟 RSC Catalysis Catch up 🌟
We caught up with one of our authors, Professor Kathryn Toghill, based at Lancaster University, to talk about the work from their group, published with EES Catalysis, titled “electrochemically decoupled reduction of CO2 to formate over a dispersed heterogeneous bismuth catalyst enabled via redox mediators.”
Kathryn’s publication focussed on the rational design of a bismuth catalyst material to both lower the overpotential into the remit of a redox mediator, and to suppress hydrogen evolution, leading to selective formate production. This showed a new approach to carbonate dioxide reduction which has not been demonstrated before. Whilst decoupled or redox mediated carbon dioxide reduction was theoretically possible given the thermodynamics of the process, but a kinetic challenge, it has been shown that understanding can be developed further through catalyst design.
When discussing the focus of the research in the area, Kathryn mentions better understanding of decoupled redox mediated electrochemical reactions is needed as the field is relatively new and whilst there is a growing interest in electrosynthesis and e-fuels, CO2 reduction still has a long way to go in providing a viable cost model in what is a saturated field of research.
The ultimate goal for Kathryn’s group is to achieve a continuous flowing system and cascade reactions which sequentially convert the reduction products to the target chemical as well as develop a better understanding of the decoupled redox mediated electrochemical process. More immediate goals for the group are to extend this process for syngas production.
We also asked about the publishing process at EES Catalysis. The publishing process was quick, easy and straightforward, whilst publishing at the RSC was important due to the ethos of the company and the formatting. Kathryn did highlight reservations regarding the journal being new and many journals disbanding. This was understandable, but we believe our target impact and the quality of research we are highlighting will stand the test of time!
To read the work discussed here, please follow the link: https://lnkd.in/ehdSUAn8
