The demand for energy is at an all-time high and rapidly increasing, due to the exponential growth in the global population. A major consequence of the combustion of fossil fuels is the release of CO2, a greenhouse gas, which also contributes to ocean acidification. Materials are being developed that catalytically convert CO2 into usable liquid fuels, which is the first step in creating a carbon neutral cycle. The use of inverse model catalysts helps to elucidate important reaction mechanisms and the catalytically active site for CO2 hydrogenation reactions (CO2 + 3H2 → CH3OH + H2O). Inverse model catalysts (oxide particles supported on metals) have shown reactivity for CO2 hydrogenation. Here, using TiO2 particles supported on Au(111) we investigate the oxide/metal interface for activity related to CO2 chemistry. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments were conducted on clean Au(111), TiOx/Au(111) (x&lt;2), and TiO2/Au(111) in order to characterize how CO2 interacts with these surfaces.

Using inverse model catalysts to investigate CO2 chemistry

251st National Meeting (2016)

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