Development of efficient solar carbon dioxide fixation system based on low-overpotential catalysts

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02042
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 36020:Energy-related chemistry
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Yagi Masayuki 新潟大学, 自然科学系, 教授 (00282971)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人工光合成 / 二酸化炭素還元光カソード / 酸素発生光アノード / 電極触媒 / 錯体触媒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Using iron complexes with planar ligands, we have developed a molecular catalytic electrode capable of highly efficient and selective reduction of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide in aqueous solution at low overvoltages. Furthermore, we have recently found that Febpc can efficiently produce carbon monoxide in organic solvents even under extremely low carbon dioxide concentration conditions of 1.9 mM (0.01 atm partial pressure). This is an interesting result indicating that the axial coordination site of the Febpc complex has the ability to effectively uptake carbon dioxide.
On the other hand, we have found a method for synthesizing mixed metal oxide films that adhere rigidly to electrode substrates from precursor solutions containing mixed metal complexes with imidazole derivatives as ligands. Using this method, we succeeded in developing a high-performance CuBiO4 photocathode.

Free Research Field

材料科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高効率太陽光二酸化炭素固定システムは、将来の再生可能エネルギーを利用した燃料製造技術の基盤となると期待される。将来、太陽光のみならず、洋上風力、地熱などのあらゆる再生可能エネルギーを利用した水素製造システムを中心としたカーボンニュートラル技術を確立することにより、現在の化石燃料をエネルギー源とする全ての産業に波及効果が期待できる。さらに、燃料供給のみでなく、水素を用いた化学製品合成などの様々な産業から、生活様式に至るまで大きな変革をもたらすと予想され、高効率太陽光二酸化炭素固定システムの開発による社会・経済的インパクトは計り知れない。