SK Innovation demonstrates electrochemical conversion of CO2 to CO

SK
Innovation has successfully used electrochemical catalytic reactions to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO). The carbon monoxide produced through this method is expected to be useful as a basic material in the production of various chemical products and reduce carbon emissions in chemical product manufacturing.

SK Innovation’s R&D arm SK
Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute uses “dual atom catalyst technology” to selectively convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, successfully producing about 1 kilogram of carbon monoxide per day. The results of this demonstration were published in the “Journal of Chemical Engineering” on November 29. In this demonstration project, domestic electrochemical system expert “Techwin” participated in the research. The large-scale production of carbon monoxide using a diatomic catalyst is considered to be the first time by the SK Environmental Science and Technology Innovation Institute.

The diatomic catalyst technology was developed by the research team of SK Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute and was published in the environmental academic journal “Applied Catalysis B:” last year.
Environmental” on. Unlike conventional catalysts, which consist of hundreds of atoms brought together, single-atom catalysts made by isolating each atom are considered a technology to further enhance catalytic activity. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the catalyst performance is further improved when prepared in diatomic form.

In this year’s research, the team created a catalyst in which nickel and iron exist in diatomic form, enhanced the performance of the catalyst, and applied it to electrolyzers stacked by multiple electrode units. An electrochemical catalytic reaction in the electrolyzer converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide.

SK
The Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Innovation Institute predicts that this research will ensure the production of carbon monoxide while reducing carbon dioxide, the main factor causing the climate crisis, thus achieving the effect of “killing two birds with one stone”. Carbon monoxide is used in the production of chemical products such as acetic acid and plastics, and has recently gained attention as a raw material for the production of alternative fuels such as methanol and synthetic crude oil. SK
The Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Institute plans to continue improving catalyst performance and securing large-scale production capabilities for commercialization of next-generation carbon emission reduction technologies, and aims to continue its partnership with SK
Innovation collaborates with internal and external parties.

Lee, Director of SK Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Research Institute
Seong-jun said, “Reducing carbon emissions and overcoming the climate crisis are top priorities that we all must address. This achievement is an example of utilizing the expertise in catalyst technology accumulated in energy and chemical research and development to develop carbon emission reduction technologies.” SK
Innovatio will further strengthen its core R&D capabilities and contribute to carbon emission reduction. ”