Hydrocarbon fuels are one of the most widely used sources of energy due to their high energy density, convenience of use and storage as well as their economic benefits. However, the limitation of natural hydrocarbon sources and the environmental impact associated with the emission of carbon dioxide have drawn research attention to the regeneration of hydrocarbons from their end products, carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight as an energy source. An efficient method of Plasmonic Enhanced Photosynthesis (PEP) has been developed to photodissociate carbon dioxide and water with visible light in the presence of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVINPs).. The carbon and hydrogen atoms produced in this way combine to form n-alkanes and other products. Solar energy irradiating nano-scale features on the ZVINPs provides energy for the photodissociation of CO2 and water by a plasmonic enhancement effect. The ZVINPs were synthesized at an approximate size of 100 nm and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The PEP reaction was carried out inside a thick glass chamber with water and the ZVINP catalyst pressurized with pure CO2 gas. A solar simulation lamp was used as the irradiation source. The produced hydrocarbons were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis. Long chain alkanes identified by GC-MS analysis range primarily from 23 to 30 carbon atoms. Isotope studies and analysis of gases produced during the reactions are used to elucidate mechanistic details. Other metals such as cobalt and gold appropriately modified with nano-features are also showing promising results.

Hydrocarbon production from CO2 and water with visible light on zero-valent iron nanoparticles

250th National Meeting (2015)

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