Goal of Research project

Development of an innovative CO₂ conversion technology through the photocatalyst and biocatalyst integrated system using only solar energy without any additive energy for the selective production of formic acid

Research contents

• Design and synthesis of visible-light-active photocatalysts with high efficiency
• Optimization to achieve the maximized efficiency of the photocatalyst
• Development of technique to fabricate the thin films of the photocatalyst
• Development of immobilization technology of the photocatalyst and electron transporter
• Development of a system for the highly effective and selective CO₂ photoconversion

Future utilization and vision

• This technology, which is intended to prepare for the future era in which global warming is expected to accelerate due to depletion of fossil resources and GHG emissions, will transform the existing petroleum-based chemical industry into a solar-based clean chemical industry and will be applied and utilized as a leading technology for the new sustainable chemical industry capable of preserving the global environment.
• As a future source technology that NT, BT, and ET are harmoniously integrated into optimal conditions, it is expected to have a great effect on the fields of fine chemical industry, bio industry, and environmental industry.

Sub research & Commissioned research projects

• Sub1Development of selective CO₂ conversion technology by photocatalyst and biocatalyst integrated system(Jin-Ook Baeg, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology)
• Sub1-Commissioned Development of high selectivity CO₂ reduction photocatalyst by controlling of redox active site(Wonyong Choi, Pohang University of Science and Technology)
• Sub2 Natural photosynthesis inspired organic-inorganic hybrid photocatalyst for CO₂ conversion(Ho-Jin Son, Korea University)
• Sub3 Light energy conversion by molecular metal complexes: Photoproduction of cofactor NADH and formic acid from CO₂(Jinheung Kim, Ewha Womans University)

Representative figure

• The photocatalyst-biocatalyst integrated system producing useful chemicals and fuels via CO₂ conversion using only solar energy without any additional energy