# US 12,214,337 B2 · Transition metal MXene catalysts for conversion of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,337 B2 - Document ID: US12214337B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/225,765 - Filed: 2023-07-25 - Published: 2023-11-16 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-29 - Assignees: Illinois Institute of Technology - Applicants: Mohammad Asadi; Alireza Kondori; Mohammadreza Esmaeilirad; Andres Ruiz Belmonte - Inventors: Mohammad Asadi; Alireza Kondori; Mohammadreza Esmaeilirad; Andres Ruiz Belmonte - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214337B2 ## CPC - B01J 27/22: Carbides - B01J 27/24: Nitrogen compounds - C25B 3/03: Acyclic or carbocyclic hydrocarbons - C25B 3/26: of carbon dioxide - C25B 11/052: Electrodes comprising one or more electrocatalytic coatings on a substrate - C25B 11/075: consisting of a single catalytic element or catalytic compound - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C25B: ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR (anodic or cathodic protection C23F13/00; single-crystal growth C30B) ## Abstract Transition metal MXene catalysts and methods for using with electrochemical cells for reduction of carbon dioxide and production of hydrocarbons. The transition metal catalysts include nanostructured transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The method includes electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide in an electrochemical cell, by contacting the carbon dioxide with at least one transition metal carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst in the electrochemical cell and applying a potential to the electrochemical cell. Also an apparatus and method for energy production and carbon sequestration. A photovoltaic cell is paired with an electrochemical cell, wherein a cathode side of the electrochemical cell reduces carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon, and an anode side of the electrochemical cell oxidizes water to oxygen. The hydrocarbon outlet can be connected to a heating element of an air handling unit, and the oxygen can likewise be introduced to the unit for air improvement. The cathode includes transition metal catalysts for reducing the carbon dioxide. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of electrochemically reducing carbon dioxide, comprising: introducing the carbon dioxide to a catalyst comprising a nanostructured bimetallic or trimetallic MXene carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst coated on a cathode and in contact with a liquid catholyte in an electrochemical cell, wherein the nanostructured bimetallic or trimetallic MXene carbide, nitride, or carbonitride catalyst comprises a plurality of nanoparticles, nanoflakes, and/or nanoribbons, having an average structure size between about 1 nm and 400 nm; applying a potential to the electrochemical cell; and converting the carbon dioxide to a hydrocarbon. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, further comprising a co-catalyst system comprising an imidazolium-functionalized nanostructured bimetallic or trimetallic MXene carbide, nitride, or carbonitride. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, further comprising: providing carbon dioxide to the electrochemical cell; and applying the potential to the electrochemical cell in the presence of the carbon dioxide to reduce the carbon dioxide to the hydrocarbon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising an electrolyte of a solution of 1M KHCO3 or 1M KOH, and saturating the electrolyte with the carbon dioxide. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the nanostructured bimetallic or trimetallic MXene comprises molybdenum, tungsten, titanium, or cobalt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a nanoparticle form. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a formula of M1xM2yXz or M1wM2xM3yXz, wherein each of M1, M2, and M3 is a different metal type, X is carbon, nitrogen or carbonitride, and each of w, x, y, and z is a stoichiometric ratio integer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method of claim 7, further comprising an electrolyte without water or a buffer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A method of claim 7, wherein the catalyst comprises a functionalized surface modification. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon is a C2, C3, C4, or C5 hydrocarbon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises a bimetallic or trimetallic copper-based alloy. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method of claim 11, wherein the catalyst comprises a tungsten-copper carbide, nitride, or carbonitride. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method of claim 11, wherein the catalyst comprises a formula of W2−xCuxC, W2−xCuxN, W2−x−yCuxMyC, W2−x−yCuxMyN or W2−x−yCuxMyCN, where M is Ce, Zn, Ta, Fe, Sc, Zr, Mn, Cd, La, Cr, or Sn, with 0.1≤X≤1 and 0.1