The release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere has led to effects of climate change resulting in an increase in global temperature, ocean acidification and many other environmental issues. Hydrogenation of CO₂ into synthetic hydrocarbons is a promising solution in decreasing anthropogenic dependence on fossil fuels and providing an energy source that is carbon-neutral. The reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction is a feasible hydrogenation reaction that requires a 2-electron transfer to yield syngas (CO + H₂) to be used in the Fischer-Tropsch reaction to synthesize synthetic hydrocarbons. In previous work (submitted to the Journal of CO₂ Utilization), the conversion of CO₂ into CO using Ru-nanostructured metal nanoparticles dispersed on ionically conducting ceramic supports like ceria (CeO₂), doped-ceria (x-CeO₂) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was studied with promising results. The activity of the Ru-based nanoparticles was improved due to the ionically conductive properties of the support, which contain oxygen (O^δ-) ionic species that promote the reaction. This promotional effect is known as the metal-support interaction (MSI) where nanoparticles are dispersed on a powder support, allowing O^δ- species to migrate from support to nanoparticle by an increase in temperature [1,2]. The MSI effect has been observed using the best Ru-based powder catalyst supported on samarium-doped ceria (SDC) - Ru₄₅Fe₅₅/SDC (2 wt.%), which yielded high CO amounts between 300-750°C. Current research aims at improving the overall RWGS reaction at lower temperatures through the utilization of the electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) or non-faradaic electrochemical modification of catalytic activity (NEMCA) effect [3,4]. EPOC allows to control in-situ the migration of ionic species to and from the metal surface through the application of a potential difference or current between the catalyst-working electrode and an inert counter electrode. This migration of species leads to the formation of a neutral double layer encapsulating Ru nanoparticles, promoting the reaction. The catalyst setup resembles an electrocatalytic cell where metal nanoparticles act as the working electrode deposited on a solid support in the form of a disc. The support (YSZ in this case) represents a fixed layer of electrolytes that conducts O^δ- ions to migrate to and from the active catalyst. As shown in Fig. 1, a promotional effect is observed for Ru on YSZ at 350°C under constant potential of 0.25 V, favoring the formation of CO through an enhancement ratio of ~2 and Faradaic efficiency of ~19, which is attributed to the synergistic effect between the metal and promoted ionic species O^δ­-. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are being conducted for the hydrogenation of CO₂ on Ru nanoparticles and will be discussed in correlation with the experimental findings to confirm the mechanisms occurring during the reaction.

[1] P. Vernoux, M. Guth, X. Li, Ionically Conducting Ceramics as Alternative Catalyst Supports, Electrochem. Solid-State Lett. 12 (2009) E9–E11.
[2] S. Ntais, R.J. Isaifan, E.A. Baranova, An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of platinum nanoparticles on yttria-stabilized zirconia ionic support: Insight into metal support interaction, Mater. Chem. Phys. 148 (2014) 673–679.
[3] D. Vayenas, C.G., Bebelis, S., Pliangos, C., Brosda, S., Tsiplakides, Electrochemical Activation of Catalysis, Springer US, (2001).
[4] P. Vernoux, L. Lizarraga, M.N. Tsampas, F.M. Sapountzi, A. De Lucas-Consuegra, J.L. Valverde, S. Souentie, C.G. Vayenas, D. Tsiplakides, S. Balomenou, E.A. Baranova, Ionically Conducting Ceramics as Active Catalyst Supports, Chem. Rev. 113 (2013) 8192–8260.