Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas emitted by human activities and greatly contributes to climate change. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, we are developing an electrochemical reactor system based on functional nanomaterials that converts carbon dioxide into useful products such as fuels, chemical feedstocks and pharmaceuticals using nanocrystal catalysts and green energy. This provides an economic incentive to capturing carbon dioxide while producing in-demand products without the use of petrochemical feedstocks, helping us lower our carbon footprint. In order to develop a high-performing system that produces our target products in abundance and with high selectivity, we will create new nanoparticle catalysts and optimize our reactor design. By preparing novel nanocatalysts with well-defined shapes and surface chemistry and designing a reactor that optimizes the consumption of carbon dioxide, we will achieve industrially-viable targets for chemical production. However, a crucial part of developing effective electrocatalytic systems for carbon dioxide conversion lies in our ability to properly characterize and quantify all the products produced in our reactor. Currently, there is no readily available system for gas product analysis at the University of Waterloo. That is why we are seeking funding for a comprehensive gas analyzer based on gas chromatograph with an in-line gas sampler and three specialized detectors. This system will analyze the gases produced by our reactor automatically and will show the performance of our catalysts over time. With it, we can gauge whether undesirable side reactions are occurring, quantify the amount of products being produced, identify reaction pathways for further system optimization, and assess the long-term stability of our catalysts. As the first of its kind at the University of Waterloo, our customized gas analysis system will be accessible to other groups at the university and will also be an important training tool, as this technology is used extensively in the pharmaceutical, analytical and petrochemical industries. Finding ways to mitigate our carbon emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels is crucial in order to curtail the effects of global warming. Our technology is complementary to the development of green energy infrastructure and will also drive innovations in the nanomaterials, industrial catalysis and fine chemical sectors. By proactively developing green technologies, we can ensure that Canada becomes a global powerhouse and world leader in green innovations while doing our part to prevent major climate catastrophes.