Inside Cover: Selective Photoconversion of Carbon Dioxide into Methanol Using Layered Double Hydroxides at 0.40 MPa (Energy Technol. 6/2017)

Abstract

Excellent CO2 conversion: The cover image demonstrates a photocatalytic reactor with a thin film of layered double hydroxide (LDH) inside it. The reaction gas pressure was 0.40 MPa and CO2 reduction was tested using H2 and an LDH photocatalyst comprising zinc, gallium, and/or copper. In view of the application, H2 is sustainably formed from water. This study enables a carbon‐neutral cycle to convert CO2 into fuels (methanol and/or methane) avoiding the net increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations associated with fossil‐derived alternatives. If the LDH catalysts were used after the exposure to air, the CO2 was photoconverted into methanol. In contrast, if the catalysts were preheated at 423 K and protected in argon gas, methane (using LDH comprising Zn and Ga) and methanol (using LDH comprising Zn, Cu, and Ga) were produced up to the formation rate of 2.7 μmol h−1 gcat−1. More details are found in the Full Paper by Masaya Miyano and colleagues at Chiba University on page 892 in Issue 2, 2017 (DOI: 10.1002/ente.201600578).