New carbon catalyst advances work on CO2 reactors

Dr. Zhongwei Chen and his research team at Waterloo Engineering continue to advance work on new technology to affordably convert harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels and other valuable chemicals on an industrial scale.

In the fall, the team published a study outlining development of cells that can be stacked to form reactors of any size, enabling a customizable, economically viable solution for installation right on site at factories and other sources of CO2 emissions.

Dr. Zhongwei Chen is a professor of chemical engineering.

Now the researchers have published new work on an improved catalyst made from carbon for use within the reactors.

“Right now, we can’t meet industrial requirements,” said Chen, a professor of chemical engineering. “So we are designing catalysts with better activity, selectivity and durability.”

Go to Chemical Engineering team advances to close the carbon cycle for the full story.