Textile Anode with Nickel Structures for CO2 Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and environmental impact of using expensive materials like iridium and titanium in electrochemical cells for CO2 reduction limit their scalability for industrial applications, and the inefficiency of existing electrochemical processes increases the need for electrical energy, making it challenging to produce reactive carbon-containing products like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from CO2.
Innovation Solution
Employing a textile fabric with nickel-containing line structures as the electrocatalytically active anode, which is cheaper and more abundant than traditional catalysts, and using an aqueous alkaline electrolyte, along with a catalyst-coated cathode, to facilitate the electrochemical reduction of CO2 into carbon-containing products, such as carbon monoxide, methane, and ethene, while reducing the need for additional electrocatalysts and lowering energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive materials like iridium and titanium are used in electrochemical cells for CO2 reduction, then the catalytic activity and stability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, durable catalysts (iridium, titanium) with cheaper alternatives (nickel-based textiles, iron-containing materials) that have lower initial cost but may require more frequent replacement or regeneration, directly addressing the cost versus reliability trade-off
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material composition parameters from noble metals to base metals (nickel, iron), and modifies the physical form from solid blocks to textile structures, achieving cost reduction while maintaining acceptable catalytic performance through parameter optimization
2Productivity
If traditional electrochemical processes are used for CO2 reduction, then the production of carbon-containing products is achieved, but the electrical energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The textile anode structure utilizes the natural conductivity and catalytic properties of nickel-containing fibers to facilitate electron transfer and CO2 reduction reactions, reducing the need for external energy input compared to traditional inert electrode materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite textile structures combining nickel-containing fibers with conductive polymers or coatings, creating materials that enhance electrocatalytic activity and electron transfer efficiency, thereby reducing the electrical energy required for CO2 reduction while maintaining product production
3Object-affected harmful factors
If atmospheric carbon dioxide is used as a carbon source, then the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is reduced, but the conversion efficiency is low due to the unreactive nature of CO2
Solution Approach 1:
The nickel-containing textile anode acts as an intermediary catalyst that facilitates the conversion of unreactive CO2 molecules into reactive intermediates, lowering the activation energy barrier and enabling efficient conversion at lower energy inputs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical environment parameters at the electrode surface through the use of nickel catalysts and alkaline electrolytes, changing the reactivity parameters of CO2 from unreactive to reactive, thereby enabling efficient conversion while removing CO2 from the atmosphere
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 significantly reduces the manufacturing and operating costs of the electrochemical cell, enhances the efficiency of CO2 reduction, and allows for the production of reactive carbon-containing products using abundant and environmentally friendly methods, effectively lowering atmospheric CO2 levels while maintaining industrial production capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Technologically, this conversion is possible through the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide. The energy required for this must be provided in electrical form.
Implementation Method 2
a textile fabric comprising nickel-containing linear structures is used as the anode, wherein the nickel contained in the nickel-containing linear structures is used as a first catalyst
Implementation Method 3
the electrochemical cell comprises two compartments separated from one another by at least one ion-conducting membrane
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for the production of carbon-containing products using an electrochemical cell (0) of a special design. The objective was to provide an electrochemical cell (0) for the reduction of carbon dioxide that could be realized from more cost-effective materials. This objective is achieved by using a textile surface structure containing nickel-containing linear structures as the electrocatalytically active anode (1).