Revolutionizing CO2 Conversion Unveiling new nanoscale tin catalyst discovery with Tom Burwell

Researchers have developed a sustainable catalyst that increases its activity during use while converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable products. This discovery offers a blueprint for designing next-generation electrocatalysts. A collaborative team from the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry and the University of Birmingham have developed a catalyst made of tin microparticles supported by a nanotextured carbon structure. The interactions between the tin particles and graphitised carbon nanofibers play a critical role in transferring electrons from the carbon electrode to CO2 molecules - an essential step in converting CO2 into formate under an applied electric potential. The findings of this research are published in ACS Applied Energy Materials.

Published 16 Apr 2025