New Coordination Compounds in the Electrocatalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide and Water

The global population continues to grow, climate change is advancing, and demand for energy and raw materials is steadily increasing. Traditional fossil fuels are not only being depleted but also remain the primary source of carbon dioxide emissions. For this reason, scientists worldwide are seeking new, sustainable methods of producing fuels and chemicals that could replace those derived from fossil resources.

Prof. Dr hab. Violetta Patroniak, photo: Łukasz Bera The project entitled “Application of New Coordination Compounds in the Electrocatalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide and Water” focuses on obtaining a series of homo- and heteropolynuclear coordination compounds with potential electrocatalytic properties that may influence the rate and efficiency of converting small atmospheric molecules (such as carbon dioxide or water vapour) into higher value-added products, including hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and oxygen-containing compounds such as ethanol.

The research plan is divided into two main pillars. The first is carried out at the Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań,  and involves the synthesis as well as spectroscopic and structural characterisation of ligands (organic compounds, polyoxometalates, and metal–organic frameworks). Subsequently, complexes of these ligands are prepared with metal ions from the d-block (such as copper, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and iron) and the f-block (i.e. lanthanides). In the second work package, studies are conducted at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, in the research group of Professor  Paweł J. Kulesza, and focus on two key processes. One of these is the electrochemical splitting of water, which leads to hydrogen production (alongside oxygen generation), as well as the reduction of carbon dioxide, enabling its transformation into simple organic compounds suitable for further use as fuels or chemical feedstocks. Previous results also indicate the effectiveness of the newly synthesised compounds in the electrochemical conversion of nitrates into ammonia. This points to the possibility of carrying out the electrosynthesis of urea — a widely used nitrogen fertiliser and pharmaceutical — through the simultaneous and controlled electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide and nitrates.

Prof. Dr hab. Violetta Patroniak, photo: Łukasz Bera The expected outcome of the project is the development of transition metal and lanthanide complexes that will function as “boosters” of electrochemical reactions. If the intended objectives are achieved, the resulting materials may find applications in devices for green hydrogen production, energy storage, or the generation of climate-neutral synthetic fuels. Such research is not merely a scientific curiosity — it may have a tangible impact on the future of the energy economy and seeks to combine technological innovation with environmental responsibility. Chemistry, although often associated with laboratories and test tubes, can be a powerful tool in combating global warming. Thanks to advanced research on electrocatalysts, we may soon be able to convert pollutants into energy and atmospheric carbon dioxide into a source of clean fuels. This vision, which only a few decades ago seemed like science fiction, is now becoming increasingly close to reality.