Prakash T., Marin-Flores O.G., Cantrell T., Grant Norton M., McIlroy D.N., Corti G.
GoNano Technologies, Inc., US
Keywords: CO2, nanosprings, photocatalyst, recycling
Greenhouse Gas mitigation is seen as a necessity by both the USA and the international community. GoNano Technologies Inc. is currently developing Carbon Capture and Recycling(CCR) technology as an alternative and/or a complement to the Carbon capture and sequestration technology. CCR involves the conversion of captured or emitted CO2 into useful products such as formic acid, formaldehyde or formic acid by anatase TiO2 nanoparticles immobilized on Silica NanospringsTM. The reduction is catalysed by the incident solar light or high energy efficiency UV LED lights that provide for lower energy penalties. The CCR system utilizes a solar panel like reactor that has the photocatalyst mat inside and a quartz window to allow for solar light and UV light irradiation. The assessment of the CO2 conversion is done by two types of reactions: A) CO2 conversion into methanol at 3-5% efficiencies from aqueous solutions of CO2 and B) CO2 reduction into formaldehyde and formic acid in the presence of 1% methanol at 12-15% efficiencies. These results indicate that the CCR technology is capable of selectively reducing CO2 into products. Enhancing the conversion efficiencies with interface engineering of the photocatalyst is now being pursued.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2011: Bio Sensors, Instruments, Medical, Environment and Energy
Published: June 13, 2011
Pages: 809 - 812
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Energy & Sustainability
Topic: Sustainable Materials
ISBN: 978-1-4398-7138-6