Turn CO2 into Raw Materials of Synfuel, HYU Research Team Develops a Large-Area Conversion Catalyst
Manufactured a 100cm² electrode without complex synthesis or purification, increasing the possibility for industrial application.
Carbon monoxide accounts for 99% of the products, stable operation for over 300 hours
A research team led by Professor Kim Young-hoon of the Department of Energy Engineering at Hanyang University’s College of Engineering has succeeded in manufacturing a high-performance silver nanowire catalyst over a large area using a simple electrochemical method. This catalyst efficiently converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO), which has high industrial utility value.
The ‘electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion technology,’ which uses renewable energy to turn carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, is considered a core technology for realizing carbon neutrality. Among these chemicals, carbon monoxide is a key raw material needed to produce various chemical products, including synthetic fuels and methanol. It is also utilized alongside hydrogen (H₂) in high-value-added chemical processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Silver (Ag) is currently being studied as a representative catalyst that selectively converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide.
However, existing silver nanocatalysts require complex synthesis and purification processes that use surfactants or organic ligands. There were also limitations in maintaining stable operation for extended periods at high, industrial-level current densities, and in manufacturing large-area electrodes with uniform performance.
To solve these problems, the research team developed a simple process of treating a silver thin film with hydrogen iodide (HI) vapor in the atmosphere and then electrochemically reducing it. Through this, they manufactured a mesoporous silver nanowire catalyst electrode without the need for separate surfactants or organic ligands.
The developed electrode features a structure in which thin, one-dimensional silver nanowires with a diameter of about 40 nanometers are intertwined to form a porous network. This mesoporous structure facilitates the smooth movement of carbon dioxide gas and electrolytes while providing abundant catalytic active sites. Furthermore, it stably maintains a three-phase boundary where gas, liquid, and catalyst meet simultaneously, alleviating excessive flooding inside the electrode and the degradation of the carbon dioxide supply.
The developed electrode maintained a 99% carbon monoxide production selectivity even at a high current density of 400mA/cm², and it operated stably for over 300 hours. Additionally, uniform catalyst structure and carbon dioxide conversion performance were confirmed even in a large-area electrode measuring 100cm².
Professor Kim Young-hoon stated, "Based on a simple manufacturing process, we have secured not only high carbon monoxide selectivity and long-term stability but also the possibility of applying it to large-area electrodes." He added, "We expect this to contribute to the commercialization of carbon-circulating chemical raw material production technology in the future."
This research was conducted with the support of the Nano and Material Technology Development Program and the Outstanding Young Researcher Program by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The research results are scheduled to be published online in the international nanomaterials journal Small (IF 12.3) on August 8, 2026. Lee Jin-gyu, a student in the integrated master's and doctorate course at Hanyang University Department of Energy Engineering, participated as the first author, and Professor Kim Young-hoon participated as the corresponding author.
Source : NewsHhttps://www.newshyu.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1025825)
Carbon monoxide accounts for 99% of the products, stable operation for over 300 hours
A research team led by Professor Kim Young-hoon of the Department of Energy Engineering at Hanyang University’s College of Engineering has succeeded in manufacturing a high-performance silver nanowire catalyst over a large area using a simple electrochemical method. This catalyst efficiently converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into carbon monoxide (CO), which has high industrial utility value.
The ‘electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion technology,’ which uses renewable energy to turn carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, is considered a core technology for realizing carbon neutrality. Among these chemicals, carbon monoxide is a key raw material needed to produce various chemical products, including synthetic fuels and methanol. It is also utilized alongside hydrogen (H₂) in high-value-added chemical processes such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Silver (Ag) is currently being studied as a representative catalyst that selectively converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide.
However, existing silver nanocatalysts require complex synthesis and purification processes that use surfactants or organic ligands. There were also limitations in maintaining stable operation for extended periods at high, industrial-level current densities, and in manufacturing large-area electrodes with uniform performance.
To solve these problems, the research team developed a simple process of treating a silver thin film with hydrogen iodide (HI) vapor in the atmosphere and then electrochemically reducing it. Through this, they manufactured a mesoporous silver nanowire catalyst electrode without the need for separate surfactants or organic ligands.
The developed electrode features a structure in which thin, one-dimensional silver nanowires with a diameter of about 40 nanometers are intertwined to form a porous network. This mesoporous structure facilitates the smooth movement of carbon dioxide gas and electrolytes while providing abundant catalytic active sites. Furthermore, it stably maintains a three-phase boundary where gas, liquid, and catalyst meet simultaneously, alleviating excessive flooding inside the electrode and the degradation of the carbon dioxide supply.
The developed electrode maintained a 99% carbon monoxide production selectivity even at a high current density of 400mA/cm², and it operated stably for over 300 hours. Additionally, uniform catalyst structure and carbon dioxide conversion performance were confirmed even in a large-area electrode measuring 100cm².
Professor Kim Young-hoon stated, "Based on a simple manufacturing process, we have secured not only high carbon monoxide selectivity and long-term stability but also the possibility of applying it to large-area electrodes." He added, "We expect this to contribute to the commercialization of carbon-circulating chemical raw material production technology in the future."
This research was conducted with the support of the Nano and Material Technology Development Program and the Outstanding Young Researcher Program by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The research results are scheduled to be published online in the international nanomaterials journal Small (IF 12.3) on August 8, 2026. Lee Jin-gyu, a student in the integrated master's and doctorate course at Hanyang University Department of Energy Engineering, participated as the first author, and Professor Kim Young-hoon participated as the corresponding author.
Source : NewsHhttps://www.newshyu.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1025825)