Manganese-Based Catalysts Offer a Sustainable Path to Renewable Fuel
A new approach to converting carbon dioxide into formate, a potential hydrogen carrier for fuel cells, is gaining traction thanks to research from Yale University and the University of Missouri. The work, published in the journal Chem, centers around the use of manganese-based catalysts, offering a potentially cost-effective and sustainable alternative to catalysts relying on scarce and expensive precious metals. The findings, initially reported on , have continued to generate interest with further reports appearing throughout and .
The core challenge in widespread hydrogen fuel cell adoption isn’t the fuel cell itself, but the efficient and affordable production and storage of hydrogen. Fuel cells, functioning much like batteries but continuously generating power with a fuel supply, require a source of hydrogen. Currently, many hydrogen production methods rely on fossil fuels, undermining the environmental benefits. Formate, the protonated form of formic acid, is emerging as a promising medium for hydrogen storage and delivery.
Formate: A Familiar Chemical with a Future in Fuel
Formic acid is already an industrially produced commodity chemical, utilized as a preservative, antibacterial agent and in the leather tanning process. Its potential as a hydrogen source for fuel cells has long been recognized, but sustainable and efficient production methods have been lacking. Currently, industrial formate production relies on fossil fuels, a situation researchers are actively trying to change.
The Yale and University of Missouri team’s research focuses on creating formate directly from atmospheric carbon dioxide, effectively turning a greenhouse gas into a valuable resource. “Carbon dioxide utilization is a priority right now, as we look for renewable chemical feedstocks to replace feedstocks derived from fossil fuel,” explained Nilay Hazari, John Randolph Huffman Professor of Chemistry and chair of chemistry at Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The Catalyst Conundrum and Manganese’s Unexpected Performance
Converting carbon dioxide into formate requires a catalyst – a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. Historically, effective catalysts have often relied on precious metals. These metals, however, are expensive, scarce, and can be environmentally problematic. More readily available metals often lack the stability and efficiency needed for sustained performance.
The breakthrough lies in the team’s ability to enhance the performance and longevity of manganese-based catalysts. Manganese is an abundant and inexpensive metallic element, making it an attractive alternative. The researchers achieved this improvement by focusing on the catalyst’s structure. Specifically, they redesigned the ligand – the molecule that binds to the metal atom and influences its reactivity – by adding an extra donor atom. This modification stabilized the catalyst, allowing it to maintain its effectiveness over a longer period.
“I’m excited to see the ligand design pay off in such a meaningful way,” said Justin Wedal, a postdoctoral researcher at Yale who co-led the research.
Implications Beyond Carbon Dioxide Conversion
The implications of this research extend beyond simply creating a more sustainable route to formate production. The team believes the principles behind their catalyst design could be applied to other chemical reactions, potentially leading to improvements in a wider range of catalytic processes. This suggests a broader impact on the field of “green chemistry,” which focuses on developing chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.
Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have also been exploring manganese-based solutions for green hydrogen production, demonstrating a growing global interest in the element’s catalytic potential. This work, reported in , focused on modifying manganese for cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen production.
The Yale and University of Missouri study, along with related research, highlights a promising pathway towards a more sustainable chemical industry. By leveraging the unique properties of manganese and innovative catalyst design, scientists are making strides in converting carbon dioxide from a waste product into a valuable resource for renewable energy and chemical production. The research was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and also involved contributions from Yale researchers Brandon Mercado and Nicole Piekut, as well as University of Missouri graduate research assistant Kyler Virtue and professor Wesley Bernskoetter.
