Visiting Speaker in Chemistry, Professor Anna Klinkova

Professor Anna Klinkova
Department of Chemistry
University of Waterloo

will present a talk entitled:

“Nanoscale catalysts and electrocatalytic transformations for CO₂ utilization”

 Abstract:

The electrochemical utilization of CO₂ has attracted significant attention stimulated by the drive for sustainable chemical manufacturing and closing the disrupted carbon cycle, as well as the increasingly accessible renewable electricity prices.  This talk will focus on three important aspects of CO₂ electrolysis: the structural stability of nanoscale electrocatalysts, the electrochemical coupling of CO₂ with organic precursors to obtain valuable products beyond commonly targeted C_1-3 hydrocarbons and oxygenates, and cell voltage optimization via the anodic reaction design.  First, synthetic routes to geometrically complex nanoscale catalysts will be discussed, followed by the experimental and theoretical investigation of their structural stability in the course of electrolysis. Second, the electrochemical generation of organic carbanions and their coupling with CO₂ will be discussed, from the perspective of both the reaction mechanism and the effect of the electrocatalyst composition and morphology on its efficiency.  Lastly, the use of wastewater treatment as an anodic process for the voltage optimization in aqueous/aprotic CO₂ electrolyzers will be examined, with a specific focus on nitrogenous waste oxidation and its byproducts.