Thomas Reichbauer

CO₂ Reduction

CO₂ is the main driver for global warming. Therefore, a main effort of society in the future will be the reduction of the CO₂ emissions. But CO₂ can also be used as a carbon source for valuable chemicals. A first step towards chemicals like butanol and hexanol is the direct electrochemical reduction to CO.¹ Energy efficiency is crucial, to be competitive to fossil-based chemicals.
In my work I’m focusing on alternative routes towards the electrochemical production of CO. Cell design, ion management, continuous operation, productivity are key targets.

[1] Haas T, Krause R, Weber R, Demler M, Schmid G. Technical photosynthesis involving CO₂ electrolysis and fermentation. Nature Catalysis, 2018, 1, 32-39. doi:10.1038/s41929-017-0005-1