Concept and Approach
In the concept of PHOENIX, we utilize a solar-driven tandem approach to step-wise conversion of CO2 to higher-order carbon fuel. This is achieved by integrating two different solar fuel generation approaches: PV-EC and PEC. Initially, CO2 is converted to CO in a PV-EC reactor, and then generated CO is up-converted to n-propanol in a PEC reactor. Both reactors are clubbed with an anodic reaction of PET oxidation to glycolic acid in order to reduce the associated overpotentials and obtain commercially viable end products.
To attain high high-performing next-generation renewable energy conversion system, PHOENIX integrates and exploits photovoltaic, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical technologies with novel catalysts and state-of-the-art components. Three types of innovations are essential to achieve the targets of the project:
The first one is the fabrication of 2T CIGS/Perovskite tandem cells through industrial coating techniques to obtain ≥2 V (WP1).
In the next innovation part, a CO2 electrolyzer that matches the characteristics of the above tandem cells will be fabricated with an MEA and electrocatalysts to convert CO2 to CO and PET to GA (WP2).
Simultaneously, WP3 does the third innovation by fabricating a novel and robust cathode to up-convert CO to propanol and photoanode to convert PET to GA.
WP4 will develop mathematical models to optimize the PV- EC-PEC system and validate the PHOENIX technology to pave the way for future developments.
Further, WP5 will include the key tasks of evaluating the environmental impact of this project and include recyclability proofing of any scarce elements involved.
