Email: Rafael.holtmann(at)tum.de
Telephone: +49 (0) 89 289 54179
Room: CRC 3036
 

Academic résumé: 

Graduated at TUM in 2023 under the guidance of Prof. Richard Fischer
Joined the Chair in 2024
 

Research topics:
 

To keep up with the continuing effort concerning the CO₂ capture, it is necessary to find ways of efficiently utilizing the greenhouse gas as a carbon source. Hydrogen generated electrolytically with green electricity offers an opportunity for an alternative way to synthesize hydrocarbons while only using anthropogenic carbon sources. An optimal CO₂ hydrogenation process would show a good selectivity towards high value C2+ compounds while avoiding methanation.

The focus of my research lies in finding a heterogeneous catalyst that facilitates the hydrogenation of CO₂ under elevated temperatures and pressures. Different catalyst combinations will be synthesized using industrially viable metals like Co, Ni, Cu and Fe while choosing promoters and supports to optimize their activation and reaction behavior. The catalysts will be investigated in a plug flow reactor setup. A combination of different analysis techniques and catalytic testing will serve to elucidate promising structural characteristics in the generation of C2+ compounds under CO₂ hydrogenation conditions.