Process Engineering for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction and Continuous Flow Synthesis of Quantum Dots

Speaker:

Paul J.A. Kenis, Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Abstract:

Microchemical systems have potential for a wide range of applications. The first part of the presentation will focus on continuous flow synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles, for display applications. Precise control over temperature and residence time made possible in multi-zone continuous flow reactor designs provides improved control over the composition, size, and shape of semiconducting nanoparticles, which are key for their optical properties. Control over reaction operation parameters during the sequential steps of core nucleation and growth and shell growth allows for the synthesis of nanoparticles that exhibiting high photoluminescence and the ability to span the visible spectrum with a set of slightly different particles. The main part of the presentation will highlight our recent efforts in catalyst, electrode, and electrolyzer design and characterization for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals such as CO, ethylene, and ethanol, as an approach to reduce CO2 emissions. Our efforts, often with collaborators, and often guided by techno-economic analysis, have led to multiple improved catalysts, electrodes and reactor designs that are helping to pave the path towards commercialization. 

• 10:30 Refreshments
• 10:45–12:00 Lecture