Prof Gareth R. Owen
Principal Investigator
University of South Wales
Aim
The principal aims of this project are to develop new and innovative chemical pathways in which industrially derived waste CO2 can be transformed it into valuable commodity chemicals. Whilst, the chemical transformation of CO2 is not straightforward, catalytic processes are now starting to be developed. The aims of this project are to develop commercially viable synthetic routes to key molecules such as methanol. As such, this project aims to turn industrially derived CO2 into a resource whilst at the same time addressing the urgent need for decarbonisation.
This project will focus on achieving six key deliverables. The research team will engage with discussions and dialogue with Tata throughout the project.
- Synthesis of new molecular catalysts which possess the ability for proton shuttling (akin to those occurring within enzymes) and demonstrating their potential to trap and activate CO2;
- Synthesis of new CO2-derived molecules such as carbonates, carbamates and ureas which will be of commercial value in their own right;
- Catalytic investigations involving the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to generate MeOH. This type of catalytic transformation will be particularly challenging due to the energetic requirements of such a process;
- Catalytic investigations involving the hydrogenation of the carbonates, carbamates and ureas compounds as an indirect methodology to synthesise methanol. In this case the resulting diols, alcohol-amines and amines formed as by-products will need to be recoverable and re-utilised for further reactivity;
- Once the most promising system is identified, it will be optimised and scaled up within the laboratory;
- These results will be discussed with other stakeholders within SWIC to explore future direction for the project. The next phase of the project would involved industrial scale up considerations.
Associated Outputs
