Catalytic activity of plasma-deposited Co3O4-based thin films for CO2 hydration – A new approach to carbon capture applications

• Published in: Applied catalysis. B, Environmental Environmental, 2022-05, Vol.304, p.120961, Article 120961
• Main Authors: Kierzkowska-Pawlak, Hanna, Kruszczak, Ewelina, Tyczkowski, Jacek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide; Carbon sequestration; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Chemical vapor deposition; CO2 hydration; Cobalt oxides; Hydration; Low pressure; Molecular structure; Plasma deposition; Plasma deposition (PECVD); Thin films; Thin-film catalysts; Water clusters
• ISSN: 0926-3373; 1873-3883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2021.120961

Addressing the challenge of increasing the rate of CO2 capture by accelerating the hydration process, we proposed the use of a new class of heterogeneous inorganic catalysts for this purpose. The presented research focused on Co3O4-based nanocatalysts produced by low-pressure plasma deposition (PECVD) in the form of thin films that can be deposited on any structured packing. The kinetic studies of this process were performed by bubbling CO2 through pure water with catalytic or inert packing, measuring changes in pH value over time. The developed kinetic model described the experimental data very well and showed that the reaction at the interface between the CO2 bubble and the catalyst surface is responsible for the catalytic effect. Studies of the molecular structure of the catalyst surface, carried out by the XPS technique, showed that the chemisorbed H2O clusters on this surface are the active centers for the interaction with gaseous CO2. [Display omitted] •Thin-film inorganic catalysts for CO2 hydration are deposited by cold plasma (PECVD).•The deposited Co3O4-based catalyst accelerates the CO2 hydration in the liquid phase.•The H2O clusters on the catalyst surface are active centers in the hydration process.•A new possibility for CO2 mass transfer via catalyzed gas-solid-liquid pathway.