Reduction of CO2 to Methanol and Methane by Photo and Dark Reactions on Semiconductor Electrodes. Annual Report February 15, 1985-February 15, 1986

摘要

The objective of the report is to investigate the electrochemical mechanism of CO2 or carbonate species reduction to useful fuels using semiconductor and metal electrodes. The semiconductor electrodes may be used to convert light and CO2 into fuels such as methanol and methane. Carbon dioxide is an abundant raw material that may be used as a source of inorganic carbon. By suitable electrochemical processes, the inorganic carbon may be converted to organic carbon in the form of methanol and methane, which could be used as fuel. Such electrochemical conversions can be made to occur at semiconductor electrodes. In addition, semiconductor electrodes absorb light and the light can be converted to a voltage that causes the electrochemical transformations of interest. By combining the CO2, water, semiconductor, and sunlight, we can store solar energy in the fuel.