Background and motivation

To remain within the boundaries of the most favorable scenarii envisioned by the GIEC, there is an urgent need to decarbonize and de-fossilize all sectors of the economy, and even to reach net-negative CO₂ emissions by the end of the century. Paradoxically, omitting our current use of fossil resources as fuels, these also serve as the main feedstock for all the chemical industrial sectors, such as the pharmaceuticals and agrochemical ones. Hence, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) can be seen as a meaningful strategy to simultaneously incentivize the extraction of CO₂ out of the atmosphere, while providing the chemical industry with an alternative to the use of fossil feedstock.

To achieve this, many metallic catalysts have been studied, but silver stands out for its high selectivity towards syngas, which can then provide many bulk chemicals through Fischer-Tropsch processes. It is also one of the cheapest noble metals, which comes with the benefits of broad availability and relatively good stability towards catalyst degradation. However, CO₂ reduction on silver is typically in competition with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), hence limiting the reaction conditions that can be used for selective CO production. The typically observed degradation of silver catalyst over time is a change of the selectivity of the reaction toward an increased production of hydrogen, demonstrating the need for even more stable catalyst, for instance through coating of the silver catalyst.

Research objectives and methods

In this study, coated silver catalysts will be developed, then their electrocatalytic activity will be assessed.

Inorganic coatings such as porous or uniform alumina, silica and titanium dioxide ones will be deposited by MLD or electrodeposition. The coated samples will then be compared to uncoated ones for CO₂ reduction. An optimization phase will be carried out by adjusting the parameters of the coating deposition/post-treatment, in view of determining the influence on the catalyst activity. The successfully coated surfaces will then be thoroughly characterized and their electrocatalytic activity will be assessed. Finally, any observed effect on the stability will be rationalized through in-depth analysis of catalyst aging during the CO₂ reduction reaction.

Finally, the optimized coating will be subjected to stress tests to determine its longevity.

Candidate profile

            We are looking for a highly motivated student with a genuine interest for green energy applications and a background in electrochemistry. The internship taking place in imec, a good level of oral and written english is compulsory.

Join us!

            Imec is an internationally recognised R&D organization, with a great expertise in material science and nanochemistry. We offer a comfortable and challenging working environment within a young and dynamic research group. Apply now!

Contact: Jerome.Beaudelot@imec.be