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Introduction

The manufacture of commodity chemicals consumes almost ~20% of the world’s energy. Commodity chemicals such as glycols, ammonia and organic acids are used, for example, in the manufacture of polymers, fertilizer, coatings and adhesives. Today, the energy needed for these processes is met through the consumption of fossil fuels, and thus these processes both deplete a finite resource and contribute to CO2 emissions into the environment.

Our strategy to tackle these problems is to develop electrochemical processes to manufacture these commodity chemicals by the direct utilization of increasingly available renewable electricity, preferably under conditions of ambient temperature and pressure. In addition, CO2 will be used as the starting feedstock to manufacture these chemicals, thereby presenting a viable pathway for carbon utilization and towards decarbonization of the chemicals industry.

Capabilities

We have electrochemical systems that convert CO2 to chemicals and fuels at high current density and selectivity. Product analysis tools such as gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography are also available. We are also equipped to build state-of-the art CO2 electrolyzers that operate with high energy efficiency.

Achievements

Publications in numerous top international journals such as Science, Nature Catalysis, Nature Energy and Nature Communications.

We have developed a system for conversion of waste CO2 into oxirane (valuable precursor for plastics) via a novel 2-step process (patent pending) with high selectivity and at industrially relevant current densities.