Coconut husk-derived biochar for enhancing electrochemical conversion of CO2

Coconut husk-derived biochar for enhancing electrochemical conversion of CO2

Materials Today Chemistry

10.1016/j.mtchem.2023.101595

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2023.101595

Y.C. Tan, S. Jia, J. Tan, Y. Leow, R. Zheng, X.Y. Tan, S.B. Dolmanan, M. Zhang, P.Y.M. Yew, X.P. Ni, Q. Zhu, J. Xu, X.J. Loh, S. Ramakrishna, D. Kai

Biomaterials, Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Catalysis, Polymers and Plastics, Materials Chemistry, Colloid and Surface Chemistry

06 June 2023

Tan, Y. C., Jia, S., Tan, J., Leow, Y., Zheng, R., Tan, X. Y., Dolmanan, S. B., Zhang, M., Yew, P. Y. M., Ni, X. P., Zhu, Q., Xu, J., Loh, X. J., Ramakrishna, S., & Kai, D. (2023). Coconut husk-derived biochar for enhancing electrochemical conversion of CO2. Materials Today Chemistry, 30, 101595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2023.101595

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is a versatile technology that can produce a wide variety of carbon-based molecules. Coupled with renewable electricity, CO2RR can be a sustainable approach for chemical production. As the global population increases, wastes produced from agricultural food sources are also increasing. In order to improve the sustainability of food production, waste materials, such as coconut husks (CH), should be upcycled as much as possible. In this study, we demonstrate the utilization of CH-derived biochar as part of an electrode material for CO2RR. Specifically, we employ the prepared biochar to improve the conductivity of the electrode and thus the performance of CO2 electrolysis to produce CO. Furthermore, CH-derived biochar has been prepared under different pyrolysis temperatures to investigate the effect of biochar fabrication condition on the performance of the catalytic electrode. Through a life cycle assessment, the sustainability of the CH-derived biochar is evaluated as compared to available electrode materials that utilize fossil fuel-derived carbon materials.

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - Career Development Award (CDA)
Grant Reference no. : CDA 202D800033

https://oar.a-star.edu.sg/communities-collections/articles/19120

2468-5194

Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment