Suleiman Al-Qadi

Field:  Energy- Chemical   

Project Title: 

Artificial Photosynthesis: Conversion of Carbon Dioxide into High-Energy Alkane Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Noble-Metal-Free Photocatalytic Assemblies

Abstract:

Greenhouse gas emissions, and in particular those of Carbon Dioxide, as a continued result of Fossil Fuel Consumption to meet Human Energy Demands, pose a global impediment to the successful persistence of the human species; in 2019 alone, Human-CO2 Emissions reached 43 billion tons. Storage of such energy from Renewable Energy Resources also poses a significant challenge due to the shortcomings of the forefront current Energy Storage Methods. Highly efficient conversion of Carbon Dioxide into High-Energy Hydrocarbon molecules, which comprise the essence of Fossil Fuel Energy Storage, via readily available visible (sun) light is a prominent and uniquely feasible solution to three of the world’s most pressing issues. It is such hypothesized, that the introduction of several novelties as a method for the optimization of this relevant reaction process is possible and the exact mechanisms of such can be determined through the control and optimization of relevant variables (Reagent Concentrations, Catalyst Design, Pressure, Temperature, Light Irradiation, Acidity, etc.). The photocatalysts that were synthesized and utilized for optimization were: Graphitic Carbon Nitride, Co-Fe-Mn-K Nanocomposites, and CuO-ZnO Nanocomposites. These were characterized using SEM, EDS, XRD, and UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. These were then added to a controlled photoreactor setup wherein the reaction was optimized through control of the variables of pressure, temperature, light irradiation, and catalyst concentration, coupled with both Acidic-Ion Catalysis and Full-Spectrum Visible Light Catalysis served to achieve the goal of this project: to optimize the photoconversion rate of Carbon Dioxide, which the results demonstrate was thereby achieved. Large-Scale feasibility and implementation of this project could solve the global energy crisis by helping drastically mitigate the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, all whilst actively eliminating the principal cause of global warming.

Awards:

A special award from Wasila Academy and a special award from Awn Team in The National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibdaa)