Pulsed laser-induced photocatalytic reduction of greenhouse gas CO2 into methanol: A value-added hydrocarbon product over SiC

CO2 was converted into value-added hydrocarbons (methanol) by laser-induced photocatalytic reduction of CO2 over commercially available silicon-carbide (SiC) granules as catalyst. The conversion of CO2 was carried out in a glass reactor having quartz window and equipped with stirring system and was provided with continuous CO2 flow at ambient conditions. Laser radiations of 355 nm, which were generated by third harmonics of Nd:YAG laser (1060 nm) were applied as an excitation source. The methanol yield as a function of irradiation time and catalysts dosage were monitored by the gas chromatographic analysis (GD-FID) of water samples collected at prescribed intervals. A specific GC column was used which separated hydrocarbons efficiently without any interference from water present in the sample. The study indicated that the commercially available SiC granular material is an excellent catalyst in laser-induced photocatalytic conversion of CO2 into high value hydrocarbons.