Carbon dioxide hydrogenation by means of plasmonic resonance activation in silica aerogel media

Abstract

Surface Plasmon Resonance can be used to activate zinc oxide/copper catalysts in order to perform the carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction by means of light energy, avoiding high-temperature processes. The synthesis and impregnation methods have been designed to fill glass microreactors with ZnO/Cu nanoparticles supported on transparent silica aerogels to maximize the light absorbed by the catalyst. A LED device surrounding the glass microreactors provided white light to activate the catalyst homogeneously throughout the reactor. Temperature, pressure, amount of catalyst and gases flow were studied as possible variables to enhance the process trying to maximize CO2 conversion rates, achieving the best results working at high pressures. The use of transparent SiO2 Aerogels as supports for photocatalytic gas phase reactions even under high-pressure conditions is demonstrated.