| Abstract |
Despite the intense research and investments in renewable energy sources, fossil fuels are still expected to contribute around 80% of the global energy demands by 2040. IPCC predicts that such scenari...o could result in catastrophic increase of the Earth atmosphere temperature, with 2016 being the hottest year on record, setting a new high for the third year in a row. Therefore, CO_2 conversion to liquid fuels have recently being considered as a possible route for storing renewable energy, complementary to the traditional electrochemical energy storage solutions with even greater potential to curb CO_2-emissions. However, building a device that could mimic photosynthesis and store renewable energy in the chemical bonds of xxii a fuel using only CO_2 and water as starting materials remains one of the greatest challenges in chemistry. Aim of the talk will be to provide fair comparison between traditional electrochemical energy storage solutions (e.g. Lithium-ion batteries, Zn-air batteries, etc.) and CO_2-derived liquid fuels by considering the intrinsic mechanism of energy storage in both cases, revealing their current development status, limitations and possible advancements. While most of the battery chemistries have matured for decades, CO_2 conversion into value-added chemicals and liquid hydrocarbon fuels is still in its infancy. While battery chemistries are highly optimized and further substantial improvements is unlikely, CO_2 conversion still has great potential for substantial improvements. Well-optimized CO_2 to liquid fuel industrial process would be of interest: (1) For recycling of CO_2 as an energy carrier, thus reducing its concentration in the atmosphere (2) As a convenient means of storing electrical energy in chemical form via electro reduction of CO_2 (eCO_2RR), and (3) For the production of renewable hydrocarbon fuels from abundant renewable electricity, CO_2 and water. The talk will summarize experimental and computational work carried out worldwide and in our group and will highlight future research efforts.show more
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