SYNTHESIS OF METHANE IN SOLID OXIDE ELECTROLYTIC CELLS: DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTROCATALYSTS, INVESTIGATIONS ON REACTION PATHWAYS AND COMPARISON WITH HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS

In response to huge CO2 emissions, its conversion into electrofuels using renewable energy via electrochemical pathways is a fast-emerging technology. Methane has gained much attention as a promising electrofuel being the primary constituent of natural gas. This research focuses on synthesis of methane using a novel route based upon solid oxide electrolysis. This route offers an efficient way of one-step methane synthesis inside the electrolyser itself via steam/CO2 co-electrolysis with a right combination of electrocatalysts and process conditions. Thus, a specific focus of this research was understanding the reaction pathways, and designing electrocatalysts to improve product selectivity and process efficiency.