Activation and splitting of carbon dioxide on the surface of an inorganic electride material

Activation of carbon dioxide is the most important step in its conversion into valuable chemicals. Surfaces of stable oxide with a low work function may be promising for this purpose. Here we report that the surfaces of the inorganic electride Ca24Al28O644+(e−)4 activate and split carbon dioxide at room temperature. This behaviour is attributed to a high concentration of localized electrons in the near-surface region and a corrugation of the surface that can trap oxygen atoms and strained carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide molecules. The Ca24Al28O644+(e−)4 surface exposed to carbon dioxide is studied using temperature-programmed desorption, and spectroscopic methods. The results of these measurements, corroborated with ab initio simulations, show that both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide adsorb on the Ca24Al28O644+(e−)4 surface at RT and above and adopt unusual configurations that result in desorption of molecular carbon monoxide and atomic oxygen upon heating. Effective activation and spitting of carbon dioxide are important steps in its conversion to valuable chemicals. Here the authors report an inorganic electride material with a high concentration of near-surface electrons that is capable of adsorbing and decomposing carbon dioxide.