Nanostructured Solar Selective Catalyst Supports for CO2 Photoreduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catalysts for CO2 photoreduction exhibit low performance metrics, with CO2 photoreduction rates orders of magnitude below what is required for large-scale technological development, and existing supports are not optimized for solar selective properties, limiting the efficiency of solar fuels production.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructured solar selective surface that is highly absorbing over a portion of the solar spectrum and exhibits low emissivity towards thermal radiation, combined with a catalyst that activates chemical reactions, such as the Sabatier reaction, using materials like black silicon, black nickel, and Ru or Ni particles, to enhance reaction rates through photochemical and photothermal effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional catalyst supports are used for CO2 photoreduction, then the catalyst can be supported and reactions can occur, but the CO2 photoreduction rates remain orders of magnitude below required levels for large-scale applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the catalyst support by applying solar selective coatings that absorb visible and infrared light while emitting in the thermal infrared range. This transforms the support from a passive substrate to an active photothermal converter, generating localized heat that dramatically increases CO2 photoreduction rates to levels feasible for large-scale deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining catalyst particles (Ru, Ni, or Cu) with solar selective coating materials on a porous support substrate. This composite architecture enables simultaneous catalytic activity and photothermal heating, resolving the contradiction between achieving high reaction rates and maintaining technological feasibility
2Use of energy by moving object
If the catalyst support absorbs broad solar spectrum, then more solar energy is utilized for reaction activation, but thermal radiation losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the radiative properties of the catalyst support by selecting solar selective coatings with specific spectral characteristics: high absorption in the solar spectrum (visible and infrared) and high emissivity in the thermal infrared range. This parameter optimization enables the support to capture solar energy effectively while minimizing thermal radiation losses, resolving the energy utilization contradiction
3Productivity
If traditional catalyst materials are used without solar selective properties, then the catalyst structure is simple, but the reaction rates are insufficient for practical solar fuels production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite catalyst support system integrating solar selective coating materials with catalyst particles on a porous substrate. This composite structure, while more complex than traditional single-material catalysts, enables reaction rates high enough for practical solar fuels production by combining photothermal heating with catalytic activity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous support materials that provide high surface area for catalyst dispersion while allowing solar radiation penetration and thermal energy confinement. The porous structure increases productivity by enhancing light-matter interaction and heat retention, justifying the increased structural complexity
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 nanostructured solar selective surface significantly increases chemical reaction rates by utilizing a broad spectral range of solar photons, achieving high CO2 photoreduction rates, such as 1 mmol/gcat·h for the Sabatier reaction, and demonstrates enhanced photochemical activity compared to previous catalysts.
Implementation Method 1
the catalyst support of silicon nanowires...absorb incident photons with energy greater than the band-gap of silicon to photothermally and photochemically drive chemical reactions
Implementation Method 2
these effects cause the chemical reaction rates to increase with exposure to an increasing number of incident photons within the solar spectrum
Implementation Method 3
the catalyst comprising at least one material that activates chemical reactions that produce fuels; the combined catalyst and catalyst support exhibiting at least one of a photochemical effect and a photothermal effect
Data Source
AI summary
A combined catalyst and catalyst support comprising: a nanostructured solar selective support to which at least one catalyst is affixed; the catalyst comprising at least one material that activates chemical reactions that produce fuels; the nanostructured solar selective support comprising material that is highly absorbing over a portion of the solar spectrum and exhibits low emissivity toward thermal radiation and/or has a surface textured to lower emissivity; the combined catalyst and catalyst support exhibiting at least one of a photochemical effect and a photothermal effect; wherein these effects cause the chemical reaction rates to increase with exposure to an increasing number of incident photons within the solar spectrum.