Multinuclear Copper Electrode for Selective CO2-to-Ethylene Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ethylene production methods using copper catalysts for carbon dioxide reduction suffer from low ethylene selectivity and high by-product generation.
Innovation Solution
Employ a multinuclear copper complex carbon dioxide reduction catalyst with a copper interatomic distance of 2.8 Å or less, coordinated with oxygen atoms, and utilize a carbon dioxide reduction electrode and apparatus to enhance ethylene selectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a copper complex catalyst is used for carbon dioxide reduction, then ethylene can be produced, but by-products are generated in large amounts and ethylene selectivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific multinuclear copper complex structure where copper atoms are positioned at precise distances (2.8 Å or less) from each other. This localized structural arrangement at the catalyst active site enables selective ethylene formation while suppressing by-product generation, resolving the contradiction between productivity and harmful by-products
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the copper catalyst by defining specific copper interatomic distances (2.8 Å or less) and coordination geometries with oxygen atoms. These parameter changes optimize the catalyst's ability to produce ethylene selectively, reducing by-product formation while maintaining high productivity
2Productivity
If a copper complex catalyst is used for carbon dioxide reduction, then ethylene can be produced, but ethylene selectivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs local quality by designing a multinuclear copper complex with specific local structural features - copper atoms at distances of 2.8 Å or less with defined oxygen coordination. This localized structural precision at the catalytic active site enhances ethylene selectivity while maintaining production efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a multinuclear copper complex that combines multiple copper atoms in a specific geometric arrangement with oxygen coordination. This composite catalytic structure achieves both high ethylene production and improved selectivity by leveraging synergistic effects among the copper centers
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
The method achieves high ethylene selectivity by facilitating the bonding of two carbon dioxides to copper atoms, thereby improving ethylene production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a copper atom and two oxygen atoms are coordinate-bonded
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an ethylene production method having high ethylene selectivity, a carbon dioxide reduction electrode, and a carbon dioxide reduction apparatus. The present invention relates to an ethylene production method including a step of reacting carbon dioxide with water in the presence of a carbon dioxide reduction catalyst that is a multinuclear copper complex and has a copper interatomic distance of 2.8 Å or less as determined by density functional theory, a carbon dioxide reduction electrode, and a carbon dioxide reduction apparatus.