Composite Catalyst Carrier for CO2 Electrolysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for carrying elemental metals or metal compounds on carriers in CO2 reduction processes face challenges such as insufficient small particle size and high dispersibility due to hydrophobicity of carriers, leading to air bubble adhesion and uneven distribution, and high-temperature, high-pressure treatments that increase costs and alter catalysts.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pressure reducing step to remove air bubbles, a raw material mixture preparation step, and a carrying step to precipitate metal ions on carriers, ensuring a reduced-pressure environment and controlled oxygen concentration to achieve small particle size and high dispersibility of elemental metals or metal compounds on carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metal particles are carried on a hydrophobic carrier (carbon or ceramic) by direct agitation in organic solvent, then the catalyst can be formed, but air bubbles adhere to the carrier causing enlarged particle size and poor dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the carrier surface by introducing hydrophilic groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amino groups) through oxidation treatment. This parameter change transforms the carrier from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, preventing air bubble adhesion and enabling small particle size and high dispersibility of metal catalyst particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical agitation method with a chemical treatment approach. Instead of relying on mechanical mixing in organic solvent, the invention uses chemical oxidation to modify the carrier surface properties, fundamentally changing the mechanism from mechanical to chemical for achieving good dispersion.
2Quantity of substance
If high-temperature and high-pressure treatment is used to co-carry catalyst and ion-exchange resin, then CO2 adsorption amount increases, but the catalyst and resin may be altered and process costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the treatment parameters from high-temperature and high-pressure conditions to room temperature and atmospheric pressure by using carriers with pre-introduced hydrophilic groups. This parameter change eliminates the need for extreme conditions while achieving effective catalyst carrying and maintaining catalyst integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary oxidation treatment on the carrier before the catalyst carrying process, introducing hydrophilic groups in advance. This preliminary action prepares the carrier surface to effectively bind metal ions and prevent bubble adhesion, eliminating the need for subsequent high-temperature and high-pressure treatment.
3Device complexity
If metal ions are reduced on hydrophobic carriers without pressure reduction, then the carrying process is simple, but air bubbles cause uneven distribution and enlarged particle size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface property parameter of the carrier from hydrophobic to hydrophilic through oxidation treatment. This single parameter change simultaneously achieves simple processing conditions and high manufacturing precision, as the hydrophilic surface naturally prevents air bubble adhesion during the reduction process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a composite with improved particle size and dispersibility, enhancing the efficiency of CO2 reduction processes by preventing air bubble formation and maintaining catalyst integrity, thus improving the generation efficiency of reduction products.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure reducing step (S1-1) of exposing a dispersion liquid containing a solvent and the carrier to a reduced-pressure environment of less than 80 kPa (absolute pressure) at normal temperature
Implementation Method 2
a carrying step (S1-3) of mixing a reducing agent with the raw material mixture liquid and causing the elemental metal or the metal compound to be carried on a surface of the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a composite in which at least one of an elemental metal or a metal compound is carried on a carrier. The method includes exposing a dispersion liquid containing a solvent and the carrier to a reduced-pressure environment of less than 80 kPa (absolute pressure) at normal temperature, preparing a raw material mixture liquid by mixing a metal-ion supplying agent which is a metal ion source of the elemental metal or the metal compound with the dispersion liquid, and mixing a reducing agent with the raw material mixture liquid and causing the elemental metal or the metal compound to be carried on a surface of the carrier.