Doctoral Defense in Physics - Naveed Ashraf

Link on Zoom:
https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/69416792652

Title of thesis:
Renewable conversion of CO2 to green fuels

Opponents:
Dr. Samira Siahrostami, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
Dr. Ali Coskun, Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

Doctoral committee:
Dr. Younes Abghoui, Research Associate Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
Dr. Egill Skúlason, Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
Dr. Einar Örn Sveinbjörnsson, Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland

Chair of Ceremony:
Dr. Birgir Hrafnkelsson, Professor at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland and Head of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Iceland

Abstract:
The excessive release of greenhouse gases has significantly endangered the Earth's ecosystem and resulted in significant environmental impacts. The increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel usage disturb natural cycles, increase global warming, cause glacial melting, and cause climate change. Therefore, prompt actions are required to capture CO2 and transform it into renewable energy fuel to mitigate this problem. For decades, researchers and scientists have pursued the development of systems that can capture CO2 and transform it into valuable chemical molecules. Continued research and development in CO2 reduction chemistry are essential for fully realizing the potential of this technology in combating climate change and progressing towards a more sustainable future. Several techniques exist for the conversion of CO2 into valuable products, including biochemical, thermochemical, and photochemical processes; however, electrochemical approaches are particularly advantageous as they can utilize renewable energy, hence reducing the degradation of the environment. Electrocatalysis is considered a key and efficient technique for the sustainable generation of fuels and chemicals from renewable energy sources. These technologies not only diminish atmospheric CO2 levels but also serve as effective methods to meet the rapidly increasing energy demands. A catalyst plays a key role in the electrochemical process for transforming CO2 into a valuable product. This research investigated and evaluated several novel catalysts for CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR) and carbon monoxide reduction reactions (CORR) through the investigation of two separate reaction mechanisms. The results of these investigations are published in various journals. The analysis of CO2 and CO adsorption indicates that CO adsorption is more exergonic than CO2, hence making CORR more interesting than CO2RR on our new catalysts. The products obtained via these investigations range from C1 to C2 products, such as formic acid, methane, methanol, methanediol, ethylene, ethanol, and ethanediol. This study deeply investigated each protonation step and provided valuable data and information about the activity of CO2RR and CORR on the surfaces of our new catalysts. As we stand at the cusp of a sustainable energy revolution, the theoretical novelties presented here pave the way for experimental endeavours to unlock the full potential of electrocatalytic systems in catalysing a greener future.

About the doctoral candidate:
Naveed Ashraf was born in 1993 in Samahni, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. He is married, and his wife is working in Akureyri hospital, Iceland, as a medical doctor. He obtained his MSc in Physics from the University of Poonch, Rawalakot (AJK) in 2016, and completed his MPhil in Physics at the University of Gujrat, Pakistan in 2019. His MPhil research focused on computational studies of two-dimensional materials for lithium-ion battery applications. From 2019 to 2021, he worked as a Lecturer in Physics at the University of Gujrat, Pakistan. In 2023, he began his PhD in Physics under the supervision of Dr. Younes Abghoui at the University of Iceland. His doctoral research focuses on the development of novel catalysts using density functional theory (DFT) simulations for the conversion of CO2 into sustainable green energy fuels. During his PhD, he won research grants from the Reykjavík Energy Science and Innovation Fund (VOR) and Landsvirkjun. In addition, he got the Erasmus plus traineeship grant and served as a visiting researcher at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) performing experimental CO2RR. His research work has resulted in several peer-reviewed publications.