Microwve induced catalytic reactions of carbon dioxide and water: mimicry of photosynthesis

Abstract
In an attempt to emulate the highly successful photosynthetic recycling of CO2 to form energetically useful fuels in nature this study investigates the microwave induced reaction of carbon dioxide and water in a continuous flow system using a supported nickel catalyst and 2.45 GHz microwave radiation with an average incident power of 2.2 kW. The major reaction products were methane, ethane, methanol, acetone, C3 and C4 alcohols. The yields of methane, C3 and C4 alcohols reached maximum values after 30 s of irradiation, while the yields of ethane, methanol and acetone were proportional to the irradiation time within the investigated range.

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