One-Step Conversion of NaHCO3 into Formate and Simultaneous Synthesis of AlO(OH) from Waste Al-Can in Water

Developing a green and highly efficient method for CO2 reduction into value-added chemicals with earth-abundant materials and facile hydrogen source is crucial to the practical application of CO2 conversion and utilization. In this study, a new method of reduction of NaHCO3, a model compound of CO2, to formate as a hydrogen storage material by splitting water with waste Al-can as a reductant is proposed. A formate yield up to 65% from bicarbonate was successfully obtained with waste raw Al-can strips as a reductant and water as a hydrogen source. The Al-can converted to powdered AlO(OH) with a surface area of 129.3 m(2).g(-1) after the reaction, which is a valuable substrate for preparing adsorbents, catalysts, and alumina-derived ceramics. The proposed method not only provides a simple and efficient way to reduce CO2 into value-added chemicals but also develops a new way to produce functional Al materials from waste Al-can.