Magnetically Induced Continuous CO₂ Hydrogenation Using Composite Iron Carbide Nanoparticles of Exceptionally High Heating Power

Abstract

The use of magnetic nanoparticles to convert electromagnetic energy into heat is known to be a key strategy for numerous biomedical applications but is also an approach of growing interest in the field of catalysis. The heating efficiency of magnetic nanoparticles is limited by the poor magnetic properties of most of them. Here we show that the new generation of iron carbide nanoparticles of controlled size and with over 80 % crystalline Fe C leads to exceptional heating properties, which are much better than the heating properties of currently available nanoparticles. Associated to catalytic metals (Ni, Ru), iron carbide nanoparticles submitted to magnetic excitation very efficiently catalyze CO hydrogenation in a dedicated continuous-flow reactor. Hence, we demonstrate that the concept of magnetically induced heterogeneous catalysis can be successfully applied to methanation of CO and represents an approach of strategic interest in the context of intermittent energy storage and CO recovery.

Fe/Fe3C Nanoparticles Embedded in Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes as Multifunctional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Catalysis and CO2 Reduction

“…Transition metals (e. g., Fe, Mn, Ni) were previously reported to possess high selectivity for producing CO as electrocatalysts of CO 2 RR . Recent researches have shown that the Fe/Fe 3 C is a promising precious metal free catalyst for a series of important reactions, including CO 2 hydrogenation catalysts, and ammonia decomposition processes, inspiring us to study the electrocatalytic properties of Fe/Fe 3 C toward CO 2 RR.…”

Engineering Iron–Nickel Nanoparticles for Magnetically Induced CO2Methanation in Continuous Flow

“…The spatial separation of the heating agent and the catalyst, by depositing Fe 2.2 C NPs on an inorganic support previously impregnated Ru or Ni NPs, led to CH 4 yields higher than 90 % at low magnetic field (ca. 20 mT) . Almost simultaneously, Mortensen et al .…”

“…Magnetic induction has recently appeared as an alternative heating source for heterogeneous catalytic reactions . It consists in applying high‐frequency alternating magnetic fields to ferromagnetic materials to release heat through hysteresis losses.…”

“…This technology appeared first as an engineer solution for fast heating catalytic reactors, making use either of the walls of the reactor or from heating elements embedded inside, such as iron balls or ferrite microparticles . We have demonstrated the possibility to magnetically induce CO 2 methanation in a continuous‐flow reactor using core–shell NPs consisting of Ni or Ru coated iron carbide cores displaying high heating properties . However, a modest CO 2 conversion (50 %) was achieved with a CH 4 yield of 15 %.…”

Nanoparticle Ripening : A Versatile Approach for the Size and Shape Control of Metallic Iron Nanoparticles

“…Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are objects of choice for a wide range of applications, such as data storage,, catalysis, and biomedical ones ,. Among the different properties sought, the potential overheating of the nanoparticles in presence of an alternate magnetic field received tremendous interest due to its implication on Magnetic Field Hyperthermia (MFH) treatment and thermally‐assisted catalysis ,. To benefit from optimized heating properties, high saturation magnetization (M S ) materials are mandatory ,.…”