The Reduction of Carbon Dioxide through Electrochemical Reactions at the Plasma-Liquid Interface Rebecca O’Toole

Global Market Demand  Greenhouse gases at high levels  Global community taking steps to reduce carbon emissions  Transportation contributes 14% of overall carbon emissions  Demonstrates need for alternative energy sources Issue of energy storage in automobiles?

Battery Technology  Heavily researched  Major concerns: energy density, safety, cost, charge- discharge rate lifetime  NiMH – Typically used in hybrid vehicles  Li Ion – Greater energy storage, safety and cost concerns

Charge Transfer Reactions  Reaction type occurring in batteries  Movement of charged particles between different materials  Interface between different phases  Typically solid-liquid Interface

Plasma Technology  Ionized gas that carry charge  Usually operated at sub atmospheric pressures  Limited applicability in charge transfer process  Mircoplasma operated at atmospheric pressure broaden research opportunities in charge transfer reactions  Plasma-liquid interface could replace solid-liquid interface  Cost effective

Previous Research  Successful reduction of Ferricyanide to Ferrocyanide and hydrolysis of water at plasma-liquid interface  Conducted in chemical engineering department at Case Western Reserve University  Nature of reactions is still unclear  More research is necessary for better understanding

Proposed Research  Reduction of carbon dioxide at plasma-liquid interface  Experimental set up based off previous research  Argon microplasma operated at atmospheric pressure  Expand understanding of charge transfer reactions  Increase development in battery technology

Questions ?