Philipp Fischer
PhD Student
Catalysis Research Center and Chemistry Department
Technische Universität München
Lichtenbergstraße 4 85747 Garching, Germany
Curriculum
| 2019 - | PhD student supervised by Prof. Johannes A. Lercher, Lehrstuhl für Technische Chemie II, TU München |
| 2016 - 2019 | Master of Science (Chemistry), TUM Title of Master Thesis: Characterization and Regeneration of Transition Metal loaded Zeolites deactivated in the Isobutane/2 Butene Alkylation |
| 2017 - 2018 | 6-month internship at Hilti Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH in Kaufering |
| 2013-2016 | Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), TUM Title of Bachelor Thesis: Synthesis and impact of polyproline spacers and other linkers in Pentixather-derivatives on the CXCR4 activity |
| 2012 - 2013 | 9-month internship at Klinikum St. Marien in Amberg |
| 2012 | Abitur at Carl-Friedrich-Gauß Gymnasium Schwandorf |
Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 via carbon nanotube supported transition metals in aqueous phase
The emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) by burning of fossil fuels has drastically increased over the last decades. This has driven researchers to explore and develop new technologies for capturing and/or converting this greenhouse gas. Among these techniques, electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in aqueous phase is one of the promising candidates for overcoming the anthropological greenhouse effect.[1] Electroreduction of CO2 can produce a wide range of chemicals (e.g. CO, methane, formic acid and methanol), which can be further converted to fuels or chemical commodities. This special way of carbon recycling can be powered by wind or solar energy (e.g. renewable energies). The required protons can be formed in situ from simultaneous water electrolysis.[2]
So far, only copper (Cu) catalysts have shown significant rates for aqueous phase electroreduction of CO2 to (oxygenated) hydrocarbons. Palladium (Pd), gold (Au) and few other transition metals have also exhibited satisfying rates however, only for formation of CO and formic acid.[3] Albeit a lot of research has been done, the influence of different reaction parameters (e.g. pH, structural effects, transport effects) on catalyst performance and reaction kinetics is still not fully understood.
Our research is focussed on synthesis and investigation of transition metal catalysts that are supported on carbon nanotubes (CNT). Starting from Cu we also want to explore Pd, rhodium (Rh) and platinum (Pt). As the project is part of the cluster of excellence e-conversion special emphasis is put on the solid liquid interfaces (e.g. the electrochemical double layer) between catalyst/electrode and electrolyte. It is intended to create a better understanding of the processes at these bottlenecks that hamper electroreduction of CO2 in aqueous phase. In this context, the CNT support shell be functionalized in a way that promotes the overall reaction, leading to increased rates and faradaic efficiencies (FE).
References
[1] G. A. Olah, G. K. S. Prakash, A. Goeppert, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011, 133, 12881-12898.
[2] D. T. Whipple, P. J. A. Kenis, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2010, 1, 3451-3458.
[3] D. Raciti, C. Wang, ACS Energy Lett. 2018, 3, 1545-1556.