CO2 reduction using hydrothermal method for the selective formation of organic compounds

The reduction of CO2 under hydrothermal conditions has been investigated. In typical experiment, Fe-powder, Ni-powder, solvent, and CO2 have been reacted in a batch-type micro autoclave under hydrothermal conditions for several hours. Methane, formic acid, and hydrogen were generated after treatment in water. With the rise of Ni amount, the methane yield increased while hydrogen and formic acid decreased. It is supposed that Ni has acted as a hydrogenation catalyst. In basic solution, CO2 was converted to formic acid selectively at 300°C involved with trace of methane. Considering the reduction characteristics of formic acid, the reaction pathway has been discussed. In experiments with the mixture of Fe and Fe3O4, trace of methanol was detected at the experiments with less amount of metallic Fe. It is inferred that the control on the effect of reductant is indispensable for oxygenated organic compound formation. Experiment on the effect of water has been conducted using hydrogen. Ethane yield increased with the amount of water, while there was no drastic change in the yield of methane. From these results, it is supposed that the steam reforming reaction of methane was involved in the reduction of CO2, and effected on the C–C bond formation.