Novel Materials with Energy Applications A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement of the Degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Carbon monoxide generation from the splitting of CO2 is of greater importance now than ever before due to continuous increase in CO2 levels in the atmosphere and concerns on the sustainability of energy and environment. This thesis examines the conversion of CO2 to CO via thermochemical redox looping of metal oxides. Oxides of Mg/Fe and Mg/Al/Fe prepared from layered double hydroxide (LDH) were explored to aid in the conversion of CO2 to CO. The prepared metal oxides from LDH offered superior stability of porous metal structure and sustained redox capability at moderate to high temperatures required for conversion. The formations of these metal oxides from LDH were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed 635 μmol CO/g of Mg/Fe oxides as compared 557 μmol CO/g from Mg/Al/Fe. Continuous operation resulted in some sintering effects with deteriorated redox performance. The redox capability of Mg/Fe oxide over multi-cycle operations was lower as compared to Mg/Al/Fe oxides, which showed significant thermal stability while maintaining high CO yield and redox capability over extended redox cycles.