Photocatalysis, Electrocatalysis, and Plasma Catalysis

Researchers use electrons to drive chemical reactions through photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and plasma catalysis routes, alternatives to thermal catalysis to help decarbonize chemical and fuel production processes. 

series of interconnected tabletop machines labeled "Photocatalysis setup"

Photocatalysis

  • Photocatalysis of water splitting, CO2, N2 reduction and biomass conversion
  • Photocatalysts: low dimensional materials including 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), transition metal carbides (MXenes), and plasmonic metal particles.
  • Light sources: Hg lamp, Xe lamp, UV and visible light filters to allow test in full spectrum, UV or visible light regions.
A machine with many wires labeled "electrocatalysis setup"

Electrocatalysis

  • BioLogic SP-300 dual channel potentiostat control
  • Various electrocatalysis reactors including H-cells, flow reactors
  • Catalytic reactions: electrocatalytic reduction of CO2, N2, NOx, water electrolysis.
  • Combination of plasma and electrocatalysis
  • Product analysis via GC and/or MS
Components connected by wires and covered by plexiglass, labeled "plasma reactor setup"

Plasma catalysis

  • Glow discharge atmospheric plasma reactor (plasmaLeap), Liquid -Plasma reactor
  • Plasma jet, dual plasma jets, gliding arc plasma catalytic reactor
  • Plasma-enhanced plasma electrocatalytic reactors
  • Optical emission spectroscopy of intermediates
  • Mass-spectroscopy and Gas chromatography of products

Contact Information

Zili Wu
Distinguished R&D Staff and Group Leader, Surface Chemistry and Catalysis
[email protected]

Ilia N Ivanov
Research and development scientist
[email protected]