Preparation and Characterization of Nanoporous Copper and its Application in Electrosynthesis of Cyclic Carbonates
Year: 2024
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Dealloying is a powerful method to fabricate nanoporous (np) materials for electrochemical synthesis and catalysis. This dissertation consists of two parts. The first discusses how adjusting the dealloying parameters (e.g. electrolyte solution) of Zn80Cu20 alloy ribbons to control the nanostructure of np-Cu ribbons. For example, the adsorbed chloride anions in HCl enhance the surface diffusivity of Cu, leading to the formation of larger ligaments, while the slow diffusivity of Cu (hydr)oxide species in NaOH results in smaller ligaments. The second part focuses on the utilization of the np-Cu ribbons as a cathode material for the electrosynthesis of cyclic carbonates such as 1,2-butylene carbonate and propylene carbonate from carbon dioxide and epoxides under mild conditions. Altogether, this dissertation provides deeper insights into the reaction mechanism of cyclic carbonates formation on Cu-based electrodes and allows tuning the structural properties of np-Cu.
Author: Ibrahim, Sawsan
Institution: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Language: English
Topic: Nanoporous metals and alloys
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7052299728