SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CATALYSTS FOR CO₂ CAPTURE

Author

Anitha Suhas Wishrojwar, University of KentuckyFollow

Date Available

4-19-2011

Year of Publication

2010

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Document Type

Thesis

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Chemistry

First Advisor

Dr. John P. Selegue

Abstract

Fossil fuel and advanced industrialization techniques contribute to global warming through emissions of greenhouse gases such as CO₂. In order to mitigate climate change, there is a desperate need to reduce CO₂ emissions from different sources. CO₂ capture and sequestration (CCS) play an important role in these reductions.

Naturally occurring enzymes, e.g., carbonic anhydrase (CA), can catalyze these reactions in living systems. Much effort has been focused on complexes of zinc with ligands such as teta, cyclen and tripodal ligands including BIMA and Trispyrazolylborates. These complexes have many interesting CO₂ capture properties, but maintain toxic perchlorate ions.

We desired to replace them with less hazardous counteranions like BF₄^- or PF₆^-. Our research focused mainly on the synthesis and characterization of Zn, Co and Cu cyclen and teta complexes that could mimic CA. We also examined some of these species for catalytic CO₂ hydration behavior on wetted-wall column (WWC) at Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER).

We successfully synthesized and characterized eight new complexes. These catalysts as CO₂ capture systems are more stable have low molecular weights (compared to CA) and more cost effective than enzymes. In terms of catalytic activity significant results were obtained only for few of the catalysts

Recommended Citation

Wishrojwar, Anitha Suhas, "SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CATALYSTS FOR CO₂ CAPTURE" (2010). University of Kentucky Master's Theses. 42.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_theses/42