Photocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into methane for solar fuel production using a TiO2 functionalized thin-film micro-reactor

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere is a major contributor to climate change. Carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas, is produced by fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. The reverse combustion reaction offers a useful approach for converting carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, such as methane, for use as a renewable fuel source and therefore contributing to a closed-carbon-dioxide cycle. However, the reverse combustion reaction requires significant amounts of energy for activation. Photocatalysis, which uses light to reduce the activation energy required, offers a potential solution to this challenge. By using renewable energy to drive the photocatalytic reaction, we can minimize the carbon footprint of the conversion process. We propose a setup for the continuous conversion of carbon dioxide into methane using a photocatalytic TiO2 functionalized thin-film micro-reactor. We aim to identify the most influential parameters and optimize the reactor design and photocatalytic material to maximize Solar-To-Gas efficiency. This approach has the potential to make the conversion process more efficient and scalable. A life-cycle analysis will be performed to assess ecological sustainability, economic scalability, and the potential for carbon capture and usage of this emerging technology.