Development of long-lived noble metal-saving catalysts for efficient recycling of carbon dioxide

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15165
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 29020:Thin film/surface and interfacial physical properties-related
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Kunisada Yuji 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (00591075)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 水素 / ギ酸 / サブnm触媒 / グラフェン / MXene

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We performed first-principles calculations to investigate the dynamics of sub-nanocluster metal catalysts on various catalyst supports and their catalytic activity for the (de)hydrogenation of formic acid. In particular, we considered chemically-modified MXene and graphene, which are two-dimensional materials with catalyst anchor sites, i.e., defects and dopants, as catalyst supports. Firstly, we revealed that using light-element-doped graphene as a catalyst support suppresses sub-nanocluster catalyst diffusion and detachment, enabling a prolonged catalyst lifetime. In addition, depending on the combination of catalysts and supports, we elucidated that the selectivity of catalytic reactions can be improved compared to those of bulk catalysts.

Free Research Field

材料科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究課題で取り扱ったサブナノクラスター触媒は高い比表面積を有するため，重量当たりの活性サイトを増やし，貴金属の使用量を削減することができる．本研究課題で得られた知見に基づき最適な触媒担体を選択することにより省貴金属で安価な触媒が実現することで，有機分子を用いた水素貯蔵の低コスト化や大規模化が可能である．また，本研究課題で得られた触媒の安定性や担体効果に関するデータベースは，様々な触媒反応についても応用可能なものである．