Water-Based Plasma Creates Superior Alloy for CO2 Conversion
Chinese researchers developed a new water-based plasma technique to synthesize stable high-entropy alloy nanoparticles that efficiently convert CO2 into carbon monoxide using visible and infrared light. The method overcomes previous synthesis challenges and offers a scalable, non-noble-metal route for practical, light-powered carbon transformation.
Researchers at Northeast Normal University in Changchun have created a novel water-based plasma method to produce high-entropy alloy nanoparticles containing five metals in nearly equal ratios. These nanoparticles form a self-protecting oxidized shell and exhibit strong photothermal performance, enabling efficient conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using visible and infrared light. The process involves generating plasma between alloy rods submerged in water, melting tiny droplets that rapidly cool and are captured by oxide particles, forming stable nanoparticles. The resulting catalysts show higher reaction rates and lower activation energy under light compared to single-metal catalysts. The nanoparticles' unique structure, with a metallic core and an oxidized shell rich in chromium and manganese, stabilizes the particles and maintains catalytic activity. This breakthrough offers a scalable, non-noble-metal approach for practical, light-driven carbon transformation technologies, addressing the challenge of activating stable CO2 molecules without relying on precious metals or ultraviolet light.
