The production of carbon nanotubes from carbon dioxide:challenges and opportunities

Recent advances in the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reviewed with an emphasis on the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a sole source of carbon. Compared to the most widely used carbon precursors such as graphite, methane, acetylene, ethanol, ethylene, and coal-derived hydrocarbons, CO2 is competitively cheaper with relatively high carbon yield content. However, CNT synthesis from CO2 is a newly emerging technology, and hence it needs to be explored further. A theoretical and analytical comparison of the currently existing CNT-CO2 synthesis techniques is given including a review of some of the process parameters (i.e., temperature, pressure, catalyst, etc.) that affect the CO2 reduction rate. Such analysis indicates that there is still a fundamental need to further explore the following aspects so as to realize the full potential of CO2 based CNT technology: (1) the CNT-CO2 synthesis and formation mechanism, (2) catalytic effects of transitional metals and mechanisms, (3) utilization of metallocenes in the CNT-CO2 reactions, (4) applicability of ferrite-organometallic compounds in the CNT-CO2 synthesis reactions, and (5) the effects of process parameters such as temperature, etc.     

The production of carbon nanotubes from carbon dioxide: challenges and opportunities

Recent advances in the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are reviewed with an emphasis on the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a sole source of carbon. Compared to the most widely used carbon precursors such as graphite, methane, acetylene, ethanol, ethylene, and coal-derived hydrocarbons, CO2 is competitively cheaper with relatively high carbon yield content. However, CNT synthesis from CO2 is a newly emerging technology, and hence it needs to be explored further. A theoretical and analytical comparison of the currently existing CNT-CO2 synthesis techniques is given including a review of some of the process parameters (i.e., temperature, pressure, catalyst, etc.) that affect the CO2 reduction rate. Such analysis indicates that there is still a fundamental need to further explore the following aspects so as to realize the full potential of CO2 based CNT technology: (1) the CNT-CO2 synthesis and formation mechanism, (2) catalytic effects of transitional metals and mechanisms, (3) utilization of metallocenes in the CNT-CO2 reactions, (4) applicability of ferrite-organometallic compounds in the CNT-CO2 synthesis reactions, and (5) the effects of process parameters such as temperature, etc.     

Transformation of Carbon Dioxide with Homogeneous Transition‐Metal Catalysts: A Molecular Solution to a Global Challenge?

A plethora of methods have been developed over the years so that carbon dioxide can be used as a reactant in organic synthesis. Given the abundance of this compound, its utilization in synthetic chemistry, particularly on an industrial scale, is still at a rather low level. In the last 35 years, considerable research has been performed to find catalytic routes to transform CO(2) into carboxylic acids, esters, lactones, and polymers in an economic way. This Review presents an overview of the available homogeneous catalytic routes that use carbon dioxide as a C(1) carbon source for the synthesis of industrial products as well as fine chemicals.     

金属有机骨架材料应用于二氧化碳环加成反应的研究进展

化石燃料的燃烧产生大量二氧化碳,引起了包括温室效应在内的诸多生态环境问题。二氧化碳作为一种重要的碳资源,也可用于制备多种重要的化工原料。环氧化合物与二氧化碳环加成是二氧化碳资源化利用的重要方向,并且产物环状碳酸酯在工业上能得到广泛利用。但二氧化碳具有惰性,不易被活化,因此寻求高效且稳定的催化剂成为实现二氧化碳快速转化的关键。金属有机骨架(MOFs)因具有不饱和金属位点、多孔性等优点而被应用到各类催化反应中。又因其具有路易斯酸碱位点,对二氧化碳与环氧化物环加成反应有着突出的催化效果,所以在该反应体系中也有着出色的表现,但其反应条件比较苛刻。环氧化物的活化是在环加成反应中的重要环节,卤化物对环氧化物的活化有很好的效果,但是存在难回收的问题;卤化物阴离子还会引起含铁金属的腐蚀,在一定程度上限制了大规模工业使用。很多研究人员致力于寻找减少使用该类助剂的方法,改进催化体系,于是催生出了关于MOFs改性的各类方法。本文列举了在催化二氧化碳与环氧化物环加成反应过程中关于MOFs的利用以及改性方法,并展望了MOFs材料在催化领域的发展前景。     

二氧化碳在化学合成上的研究进展

二氧化碳合成化学在发展对环境友好的新合成工艺和利用ＣＯ２制备附加价值较高的化工产品等方面的研究取得了重要进展,它有助于减少ＣＯ２对大气中的排放量。     

Critical temperatures and pressures of reacting mixture in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate with methanol and carbon dioxide

Critical temperatures and pressures of nominal reacting mixture in synthesis of dimethyl carbonate （DMC） from methanol and carbon dioxide （quaternary mixture of carbon dioxide ＋ methanol ＋ water ＋ DMC） were measured using a high-pressure view cell. The results suggested that the critical properties of the reacting mixture depended on the reaction extent as well as its initial composition （initial ratio of carbon dioxide to methanol）. Such information is essential for determining the reaction conditions when one intends to carry out the synthesis of DMC with CO2 and methanol under supercritical conditions.     

Perfectly alternating copolymerization of CO2 and epichlorohydrin using cobalt(III)-based catalyst systems

Selective transformations of carbon dioxide and epoxides into biodegradable polycarbonates by the alternating copolymerization of the two monomers represent some of the most well-studied and innovative technologies for potential large-scale utilization of carbon dioxide in chemical synthesis. For the most part, previous studies of these processes have focused on the use of aliphatic terminal epoxides or cyclohexene oxide derivatives, with only rare reports concerning the synthesis of CO(2) copolymers from epoxides containing electron-withdrawing groups such as styrene oxide. Herein we report the production of the CO(2) copolymer with more than 99% carbonate linkages from the coupling of CO(2) with epichlorohydrin, employing binary and bifunctional (salen)cobalt(III)-based catalyst systems. Comparative kinetic studies were performed via in situ infrared measurements as a function of temperature to assess the activation barriers for the production of cyclic carbonate versus copolymer involving two electronically different epoxides: epichlorohydrin and propylene oxide. The relative small activation energy difference between copolymer versus cyclic carbonate formation for the epichlorohydrin/CO(2) process (45.4 kJ/mol) accounts in part for the selective synthesis of copolymer to be more difficult in comparison with the propylene oxide/CO(2) case (53.5 kJ/mol). Direct observation of the propagating polymer-chain species from the binary (salen)CoX/MTBD (X = 2,4-dinitrophenoxide and MTBD = 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene) catalyst system by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry confirmed the perfectly alternating nature of the copolymerization process. This observation in combination with control experiments suggests possible intermediates involving MTBD in the CO(2)/epichlorohydrin copolymerization process.     

Conversion of carbon dioxide to valuable petrochemicals:An approach to clean development mechanism

The increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the global warming due to its greenhouse effect resulted in worldwide concerns. On the other hand, carbon dioxide might be considered as a valuable and renewable carbon source. One approach to reduce carbon dioxide emissions could be its capture and recycle via transformation into chemicals using the technologies in C1 chemistry. Despite its great interest, there are difficulties in CO2 separation on the one hand, and thermodynamic stability of carbon dioxide molecule rendering its chemical activity low on the other hand. Carbon dioxide has been already used in petrochemical industries for production of limited chemicals such as urea. The utilization of carbon dioxide does not necessarily involve development of new processes, and in certain processes such as methanol synthesis and methane steam reforming, addition of CO2 into the feed results in its utilization and increases carbon efficiency. In other cases, modifications in catalyst and/or processes, or even new catalysts and processes, are necessary. In either case, catalysis plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide conversion and effective catalysts are required for commercial realization of the related processes. Technologies for CO2 utilization are emerging after many years of research and development efforts.     

甲烷三重整制合成气

甲烷三重整是利用CO₂-H₂O-O₂ 同时重整甲烷的过程。该工艺既可以生产H₂/CO 为1.5 —2.0的合成气,又可以缓解甚至消除催化剂的积炭,适合于更廉价地生产用于合成甲醇、二甲醚以及清洁燃料等下游产品的合成气。本文重点评述了近年来国内外甲烷三重整制合成气在热力学、催化剂、反应器、动力学等方面的研究进展,指出甲烷三重整反应在电厂烟气、煤层气、天然气综合利用方面具备良好前景,但要通过该过程实现廉价合成气的生产,仍需研制高活性、抗积炭性能强的催化剂,并对反应器进行改进,以及进行反应机理和反应动力学的深入研究。     

非均相离子液体催化CO2环加成反应研究进展

二氧化碳（CO2）是一种来源丰富的C1资源,在温和条件下实现CO2的资源化利用是当前研究的热点之一。CO2环加成反应制备环状碳酸酯是CO2资源化利用的重要途径之一。环状碳酸酯是电池电解液的优良介质,可承受较恶劣的光、热及化学变化;同时也是聚氨酯、聚碳酸酯等精细化工中间体,广泛应用于医药、化工、纺织、印染等领域。非均相离子液体催化剂具有化学和热稳定性好、合成过程简单和可重复使用等优势。本文重点总结了近年来非均相离子液体催化剂在CO2和环氧化物环加成反应中的应用,并对非均相离子液体催化CO2环加成反应的发展进行展望。     

A biological process for the reclamation of flue gas desulfurization gypsum using mixed sulfate-reducing bacteria with inexpensive carbon sources

A combined chemical and biological process for the recycling of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum into calcium carbonate and elemental sulfur is demonstrated. In this process, a mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) utilizes inexpensive carbon sources, such as sewage digest or synthesis gas, to reduce FGD gypsum to hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide is then oxidized to elemental sulfur via reaction with ferric sulfate, and accumulating calcium ions are precipitated as calcium carbonate using carbon dioxide. Employing anaerobically digested municipal sewage sludge (AD-MSS) medium as a carbon source, SRBs in serum bottles demonstrated an FGD gypsum reduction rate of 8 mg/L/h (10⁹ cells)^-1. A chemostat with continuous addition of both AD-MSS media and gypsum exhibited sulfate reduction rates as high as 1.3 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. The increased biocatalyst density afforded by cell immobilization in a columnar reactor allowed a productivity of 152 mg SO₄ ^-2/Lh or 6.6 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. Both reactors demonstrated 100% conversion of sulfate, with 75–100% recovery of elemental sulfur and chemical oxygen demand utilization as high as 70%. Calcium carbonate was recovered from the reactor effluent on precipitation using carbon dioxide. It was demonstrated that SRBs may also use synthesis gas (CO, H₂, and CO₂ in the reduction of gypsum, further decreasing process costs. The formation of two marketable products—elemental sulfur and calcium carbonate—from FGD gypsum sludge, combined with the use of a low-cost carbon source and further improvements in reactor design, promises to offer an attractive alternative to the landfilling of FGD gypsum.

     

Utilization of standards generated in the process of thermal decomposition chemically modified silica gel for a single point calibration of a GC/FID system

The utilization of a multicomponent gaseous standard mixture, containing CO and CO(2) and obtained by thermal decomposition of a so-called immobilized compound, for a single point calibration of a GC/FID system are described. The generation of such a mixture takes place as a result of thermal decomposition of a sample of chemically modified silica gel placed in a heated chamber of thermal desorber coupled with the device being calibrated via a catalytic methanizer. The mean amount of the analyte librated from unit mass of the gel was 0.71 mg g(-1) (RSD = 3%) for carbon monoxide and 0.86 mg g(-1) (RSD = 3%) for carbon dioxide.     

二氧化碳与环氧化合物合成环状碳酸酯的研究进展

二氧化碳作为温室气体和储量大、无毒且可循环利用的碳资源,其化学利用受到了人们的广泛关注. 二氧化碳与环氧化合物通过环加成反应制备环状碳酸酯是二氧化碳化学法利用最为有效的途径之一. 本文综述了近年来该反应的研究进展,讨论了催化剂作用下的反应机理.     

在还原剂存在下CO2作为碳源合成苯并噻唑反应的研究进展

CO₂是一种来源丰富、价廉易得的C1资源。将CO₂高值化利用是“双碳”目标实现的途径之一。苯并噻唑类化合物广泛应用于医药、农药等领域。因此,从绿色和可持续发展角度来看,利用CO₂作为碳源合成杂环化合物苯并噻唑具有重要的意义。本文综述了氢气、硅烷和硼烷三类还原剂还原CO₂与邻氨基苯硫酚反应合成苯并噻唑的方法,分析了各种方法的优缺点,阐述了采用不同还原剂的反应机理,并指出了这一领域面临的问题。另外,对该领域未来的发展方向进行了展望,如绿色环保溶剂的使用、新型高效还原剂的研究、苯并噻唑新合成路线的设计等。     

Anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle for a sustainable future

Nature's photosynthesis uses the sun's energy with chlorophyll in plants as a catalyst to recycle carbon dioxide and water into new plant life. Only given sufficient geological time, millions of years, can new fossil fuels be formed naturally. The burning of our diminishing fossil fuel reserves is accompanied by large anthropogenic CO(2) release, which is outpacing nature's CO(2) recycling capability, causing significant environmental harm. To supplement the natural carbon cycle, we have proposed and developed a feasible anthropogenic chemical recycling of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is captured by absorption technologies from any natural or industrial source, from human activities, or even from the air itself. It can then be converted by feasible chemical transformations into fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether, and varied products including synthetic hydrocarbons and even proteins for animal feed, thus supplementing our food chain. This concept of broad scope and framework is the basis of what we call the Methanol Economy. The needed renewable starting materials, water and CO(2), are available anywhere on Earth. The required energy for the synthetic carbon cycle can come from any alternative energy source such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even hopefully safe nuclear energy. The anthropogenic carbon dioxide cycle offers a way of assuring a sustainable future for humankind when fossil fuels become scarce. While biosources can play a limited role in supplementing future energy needs, they increasingly interfere with the essentials of the food chain. We have previously reviewed aspects of the chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether. In the present Perspective, we extend the discussion of the innovative and feasible anthropogenic carbon cycle, which can be the basis of progressively liberating humankind from its dependence on diminishing fossil fuel reserves while also controlling harmful CO(2) emissions to the atmosphere. We also discuss in more detail the essential stages and the significant aspects of carbon capture and subsequent recycling. Our ability to develop a feasible anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle supplementing nature's photosynthesis also offers a new solution to one of the major challenges facing humankind.     

微藻生物固碳技术进展和发展趋势

大气中CO2含量升高是导致温室效应的主要原因,因此,减少CO2的排放和积累是解决全球气候变暖的重点.传统的CO2减排方法包括捕集(capture)和储存(storage),涉及化学吸附、物理吸收、膜分离和低温蒸馏等一系列物理化学方法,但其均存在成本高和不可再生等缺点.通过种植或养殖生物质可以捕集CO2.微藻生长周期短、光合效率高,其CO2固定效率为一般陆生植物的10~50倍;同时微藻生长速度快,能利用不可耕地,具有广阔的发展前景.本文概述了适用的藻种及所能达到的CO2固定效果,分析了光生物反应器类型、光照强度、光周期、温度、pH、CO2浓度、CO2吸收效率、气体传质效率和营养需求(包括来自市政和工业农废水中的N、P等营养)等多种因素对微藻固碳效果的影响.最后,对微藻固碳的实际应用和经济可行性进行了评估,展望了微藻固碳技术的发展和应用前景.     

Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) in high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2): experimental aspects of QCM theory and CO2 adsorption

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique has been developed into a powerful tool for the study of solid-fluid interfaces. This study focuses on the applications of QCM in high-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) systems. Frequency responses of six QCM crystals with different electrode materials (silver or gold) and roughness values were determined in helium, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide at 35-40 degrees C and at elevated pressures up to 3200 psi. The goal is to experimentally examine the applicability of the traditional QCM theory in high-pressure systems and determine the adsorption of CO2 on the metal surfaces. A new QCM calculation approach was formulated to consider the surface roughness contribution to the frequency shift. It was found that the frequency-roughness correlation factor, Cr, in the new model was critical to the accurate calculation of mass changes on the crystal surface. Experiments and calculations demonstrated that the adsorption (or condensation) of gaseous and supercritical CO2 onto the silver and gold surfaces was as high as 3.6 microg cm(-2) at 40 degrees C when the CO2 densities are lower than 0.85 g cm(-3). The utilization of QCM crystals with different roughness in determining the adsorption of CO2 is also discussed.     

射频放电等离子体中CO2及CO2-H2混合气转化反应的原位研究

Currently, worldwide attention is focused on controlling the continually increasing emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. To this end, a number of investigations have been carried out to convert the carbon dioxide molecules into value-added chemicals. As carbon dioxide is thermodynamically stable, it is necessary to develop an efficient carbon dioxide utilization method for future scaled-up applications. Recently, several approaches, such as electrocatalysis, thermolysis, and non-thermal plasma, have been utilized to achieve carbon dioxide conversion. Among them, non-thermal plasma, which contains chemically active species such as high-energy electrons, ions, atoms, and excited gas molecules, has the potential to achieve high energy efficiency without catalysts near room temperature. Here, we used radio-frequency (RF) discharge plasma, which exhibits the non-thermal feature, to explore the decomposition behavior of carbon dioxide in non-thermal plasma. We studied the ionization and decomposition behaviors of CO₂ and CO₂-H₂ mixtures in plasma at low gas pressure. The non-thermal plasma was realized by our custom-made inductively coupled RF plasma research system. The reaction products were analyzed by on-line quadrupole mass spectrometry (differentially pumped), while the plasma status was monitored using an in situ real-time optical emission spectrometer. Plasma parameters (such as the electron temperature and ion density), which can be tuned by utilizing different discharge conditions, played significant roles in the carbon dioxide dissociation process in non-thermal plasma. In this study, the conversion ratio and energy efficiency of pure carbon dioxide plasma were investigated at different values of power supply and gas flow. Subsequently, the effect of H₂ on CO₂ decomposition was studied with varying H₂ contents. Results showed that the carbon dioxide molecules were rapidly ionized and partially decomposed into CO and oxygen in the RF field. With increasing RF power, the conversion ratio of carbon dioxide increased, while the energy efficiency decreased. A maximum conversion ratio of 77.6% was achieved. It was found that the addition of hydrogen could substantially reduce the time required to attain the equilibrium of the carbon dioxide decomposition reaction. With increasing H₂ content, the conversion ratio of CO₂ decreased initially and then increased. The ionization state of H₂ and the consumption of oxygen owing to CO₂ decomposition were the main reasons for the V-shape plot of the CO₂ conversion ratio. In summary, this study investigates the influence of power supply, feed gas flow, and added hydrogen gas content, on the carbon dioxide decomposition behavior in non-thermal RF discharge plasma.     

Artificial photosynthesis: semiconductor photocatalytic fixation of CO2 to afford higher organic compounds

Carbon dioxide is an appealing renewable feedstock for industrial chemical processes. This does not mean, however, that all chemical processes using CO(2) are environmentally-friendly. Perspectives on the sustainability of CO(2) utilization and artificial photosynthesis are provided. The discussions focus on the photocatalytic production of C(x) (x≥ 2) compounds, where all the carbon in the products is derived from CO(2). This area of research, while promising, has received far less attention than analogous systems leading to C(1) products.     

Silacarboxylic acids as efficient carbon monoxide releasing molecules: synthesis and application in palladium-catalyzed carbonylation reactions

Silacarboxylic acids have been demonstrated to be easy to handle, air-stable carbon monoxide precursors. Different silacarboxylic acids were synthesized from the corresponding chlorosilanes and carbon dioxide, and their decarbonylation, upon treatment with an array of activators, was evaluated. The release of CO from crystalline MePh(2)SiCO(2)H proved to be highly efficient, and it was successfully applied in a selection of palladium-catalyzed carbonylative couplings using near-stoichiometric quantities of carbon monoxide precursor. Finally, the synthesis of MePh(2)Si(13)CO(2)H and its application in carbonyl labeling of two bioactive compounds was demonstrated.