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23 Jul
Advancing Electrification of Chemical Industries, Sustainable Energy and Chemical Production through CO2 Conversion in the US, Other Countries — Expert

Posted by Tribune Online on Jul 23, 2024

Monsuru Olatunji Dauda, a Nigerian-born doctoral candidate at Louisiana State University, has made significant strides in revolutionizing the chemical industry through innovative CO2 conversion techniques in the United States. His cutting-edge research is driving the electrification of chemical production, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based processes, and addressing critical challenges in renewable energy generation and carbon utilization. Monsuru’s research focuses on the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to valuable C2 products, a field with far-reaching implications for sustainable manufacturing and energy production. Many everyday products, from detergents and anti-freezer to tennis shoes, are currently manufactured using non-renewable energy sources and feedstocks derived from natural gas or crude oil. Monsuru’s work demonstrates the potential to produce these chemical precursors from CO2, water, and renewable electricity, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. In a recent breakthrough, Monsuru and his collaborators published an article titled “Electrochemical Reduction of CO2: A Common Acetyl Path to Ethylene, Ethanol or Acetate” in the Journal of The Electrochemical Society. This groundbreaking study demonstrates record production rates of common products such as vinegar, grain alcohol, and ethylene (a precursor for plastics, detergents, and textiles) using only electricity, CO2, and water. This achievement marks a significant step towards the electrification of the chemical industry, offering a sustainable path for producing essential chemicals without relying on fossil fuels. Monsuru’s innovative approach involves developing copper-based electrocatalysts doped with elements like phosphorus, tin, and selenium to enhance the efficiency and selectivity of CO2 conversion. His master’s thesis, “Copper-Based Electrocatalysts for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C2 Products,” revealed record Faradaic efficiencies for ethylene, ethanol, and acetate production at high current densities, maintained for over 200 hours. This unprecedented durability brings the technology closer to commercial viability. Building on this work, Monsuru’s ongoing doctoral research, presented in his candidacy exam “Sustainable Chemical Production through Electrochemical Conversion of CO2,” aims to uncover the fundamental science governing the durability and efficiency of CO2 electrolyzers. This knowledge is crucial for scaling up the technology and making it commercially feasible and environmentally sustainable. The potential impact of Monsuru’s research extends beyond the laboratory. By enabling the production of common chemicals using renewable electricity and CO2 as a feedstock, his work could transform manufacturing processes across various industries. This shift towards electrification and sustainable feedstocks could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of chemical production, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. Monsuru’s contributions to the field have garnered international recognition. He recently presented his findings on “Selectivity and Durability in the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C2 Products Using Cu-P, Cu-Sn, and Cu-Se Electrocatalysts” at the prestigious 245th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS) in San Francisco, sharing insights with leading experts and fostering global collaboration in sustainable chemical production. Throughout his career, Monsuru has received several honors, including the recent ECS-IOP Trusted Reviewer status from IOP Publishing, acknowledging his role in upholding scientific literature standards and further underscores his commitment to advancing the field of electrochemistry and sustainable technology. As countries worldwide seek to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable industrial practices, Monsuru’s research offers a promising pathway. The electrification of chemical production, coupled with the utilization of CO2 as a feedstock, aligns with global initiatives to create a circular economy and achieve carbon neutrality. His work has the potential to influence policy decisions and industrial practices not only in the United States but also in other countries striving to meet their climate goals. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Monsuru’s research exemplifies the crucial role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges. As he continues to push the boundaries of electrochemistry and sustainable technology, his work holds immense promise for shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for chemical industries worldwide. Monsuru’s groundbreaking research in electrocatalyst design and CO2 utilization serves as an inspiring example of how innovative scientific approaches can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of our time, paving the way for a new era of Monsuru’s contributions to the field have garnered international recognition. He recently presented his findings on “Selectivity and Durability in the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C2 Products Using Cu-P, Cu-Sn, and Cu-Se Electrocatalysts” at the prestigious 245th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS) in San Francisco, sharing insights with leading experts and fostering global collaboration in sustainable chemical production. Throughout his career, Monsuru has received several honors, including the recent ECS-IOP Trusted Reviewer status from IOP Publishing, acknowledging his role in upholding scientific literature standards and further underscores his commitment to advancing the field of electrochemistry and sustainable technology. As countries worldwide seek to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable industrial practices, Monsuru’s research offers a promising pathway. The electrification of chemical production, coupled with the utilization of CO2 as a feedstock, aligns with global initiatives to create a circular economy and achieve carbon neutrality. His work has the potential to influence policy decisions and industrial practices not only in the United States but also in other countries striving to meet their climate goals. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Monsuru’s research exemplifies the crucial role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges. As he continues to push the boundaries of electrochemistry and sustainable technology, his work holds immense promise for shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for chemical industries worldwide. Monsuru’s groundbreaking research in electrocatalyst design and CO2 utilization serves as an inspiring example of how innovative scientific approaches can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of our time, paving the way for a new era of sustaMonsuru’s contributions to the field have garnered international recognition. He recently presented his findings on “Selectivity and Durability in the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to C2 Products Using Cu-P, Cu-Sn, and Cu-Se Electrocatalysts” at the prestigious 245th meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS) in San Francisco, sharing insights with leading experts and fostering global collaboration in sustainable chemical production. Throughout his career, Monsuru has received several honors, including the recent ECS-IOP Trusted Reviewer status from IOP Publishing, acknowledging his role in upholding scientific literature standards and further underscores his commitment to advancing the field of electrochemistry and sustainable technology. As countries worldwide seek to reduce their carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable industrial practices, Monsuru’s research offers a promising pathway. The electrification of chemical production, coupled with the utilization of CO2 as a feedstock, aligns with global initiatives to create a circular economy and achieve carbon neutrality. His work has the potential to influence policy decisions and industrial practices not only in the United States but also in other countries striving to meet their climate goals. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Monsuru’s research exemplifies the crucial role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges. As he continues to push the boundaries of electrochemistry and sustainable technology, his work holds immense promise for shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future for chemical industries worldwide. Monsuru’s groundbreaking research in electrocatalyst design and CO2 utilization serves as an inspiring example of how innovative scientific approaches can be leveraged to address some of the most pressing environmental and energy challenges of our time, paving the way for a new era of sustainable chemical production.

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