Pan, et al (2024) Coupling Enteromorpha prolifera-derived N-doped biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More with Cu-Mo₂C clusters for selective CO₂hydrogenation to CO. Advanced Powder Materials. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmate.2024.100259

Researchers have developed a novel catalyst for converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), a key step in producing synthetic fuels. The team utilized Enteromorpha prolifera, a type of seaweed that often causes ecological harm, as a raw material for creating nitrogen-doped biochar. This biochar acts as a support structure for copper-molybdenum carbide (Cu-Mo2C) clusters, forming a catalyst that demonstrates high efficiency and selectivity in CO2 hydrogenation.

The biochar, processed under nitrogen at high temperatures, offers a mesoporous structure and high levels of pyridinic nitrogen. These characteristics enhance the dispersion and stability of Cu-Mo2C clusters on the biochar surface. The resulting catalyst, Cu-Mo2C/EPBC, showed remarkable performance: a CO selectivity of 99.95% at 500°C and a threefold increase in CO2 conversion compared to conventional activated carbon-based catalysts.

Key to this success is the synergistic effect between the pyridinic nitrogen and the Cu-Mo2C clusters. This interaction improves electron transfer and reduces the energy barrier for the reaction, enabling efficient conversion even at lower temperatures. Computational studies confirmed that the nitrogen-doped biochar enhances the electronic properties of the catalyst, further boosting its performance.

This study demonstrates a sustainable way to repurpose seaweed waste into advanced materials for CO2 utilization, contributing to efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing renewable energy technologies.