Single-Atom Metal Graphene Catalyst for CO2 Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2, such as gold and silver alloys, face issues of low activity, stability, and high cost, making them unsuitable for industrial-scale CO2 conversion to CO, while metallic phthalocyanine compounds are not stable under reduction potential and cannot generate steady electric current.

Innovation Solution

A graphene material inlaid with single metal atoms, specifically Group VIII metals like Fe, Co, and Ni, dispersed in N-doped or N and S co-doped graphene, which improves atom utilization and catalytic activity, prepared through high-temperature carbonization with specific precursor ratios and atmospheres to optimize catalytic sites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If gold and silver alloys are used as catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction, then CO production can be achieved, but the catalyst suffers from low activity, low stability, and high cost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO production efficiencyVSAvoidcatalyst stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the catalyst system by transitioning from bulk metal alloys to single-atom dispersion on graphene support. This parameter change achieves high catalytic activity through maximum atom utilization while improving stability through strong metal-support interactions that prevent aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system consisting of single metal atoms (Fe, Co, or Ni) dispersed on a graphene or doped graphene support. This composite structure combines the high catalytic activity of transition metals with the exceptional stability and conductivity of graphene, resolving the contradiction between activity and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If metallic phthalocyanine compounds are used as catalysts, then CO2 reduction activity can be improved, but the catalyst cannot maintain stability under reduction potential and cannot generate steady electric current

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCO2 reduction activityVSAvoidcatalyst stability under reduction potential

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the unstable metallic phthalocyanine compounds with single metal atoms supported on graphene. The graphene support provides long-term structural stability and electrical conductivity, allowing the catalyst to maintain its composition and generate steady current over extended periods, effectively solving the stability issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If traditional catalysts are used for CO2 electroreduction, then the process can proceed, but the atom utilization is low and the cost is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereaction efficiencyVSAvoidatom utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the catalyst into individual single atoms dispersed on the graphene support, maximizing the exposure and utilization of each metal atom. This segmentation eliminates the waste of atoms in bulk structures where only surface atoms are catalytically active, achieving near 100% atom utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 graphene material with single metal atoms achieves a Faradic efficiency of 95% or more for CO2 reduction to CO, maintaining high activity and selectivity over 100 hours, outperforming existing catalysts in terms of stability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Electrochemical reduction can not only convert CO2 effectively but also lower down the cost and realize larger scale production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

the material contains metal inlaid on the graphene in the form of single atoms, which improves the atom utilization significantly and has high catalytic activity when used in the electroreduction reaction of CO2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

The graphene material inlaid with single metal atoms is prepared by the method of high temperature carbonization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11105009B2Graphene material inlaid with single metal atoms and preparing method and application thereof

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 DALIAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

AI summary

The present invention relates to a graphene material inlaid with single metal atoms, the preparation method thereof and its application of being used as the catalyst for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide. The graphene material inlaid with single metal atoms comprises single metal atoms and graphene; the single metal atoms are dispersed in the framework of the graphene; and the graphene is at least one selected from N doped graphene and N and S co-doped graphene. The material is used for the electrochemical reduction reaction of carbon dioxide, which significantly improves the utilization efficiency of the metal atoms and enhances the catalytic activity for the electroreduction of carbon dioxide, improves the catalytic stability, inhibits effectively the hydrogen evolution reaction, improves the selectivity for CO product, and broadens the electric potential window of reducing carbon dioxide to generate CO.