News

At the 11^th International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology (AMN11), Professor Christina Roth delivered a compelling keynote on the latest advancements in CO₂ electro-reduction. Her presentation, titled "CO₂ Electro-Reduction: From Metallic Foams to Gas Diffusion Electrodes," explored innovative strategies for converting carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals and fuels—key to a sustainable energy future.

Christina highlighted the challenges of CO₂ electroreduction, including sluggish reaction rates and low selectivity. She emphasized the critical role of electrocatalyst materials, noting that while silver (Ag) efficiently converts CO₂ to carbon monoxide with nearly 100% faradaic efficiency, copper (Cu) remains the material of choice for producing C₂ products like ethene.

A breakthrough approach Christina presented in the keynote was the Dynamic Hydrogen Bubble Templation (DHBT) method. This technique harnesses the typically undesired hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to create highly porous metal electrodes with controlled morphology and increased surface area. Roth showcased how DHBT enables the rapid production of Ag and Cu electrodes within minutes, enhancing their performance in CO₂ reduction experiments.

Beyond fundamental research, she also addressed the transition to gas diffusion electrodes, a crucial step toward scaling CO₂ electroreduction to industrially relevant current densities. These advancements pave the way for more efficient carbon capture and utilization technologies, aligning with global sustainability goals.

The next stop on Christina’s trip was Dunedin, where she was also invited to give a lecture at the Chemistry Department.

The photos show impressions from New Zealand.

1. Bladwin Street
2. Dunedin
3. Fur Seal Beach
4. Signal Hill

Christina at Baldwin Street, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Prof. Roth during her lecture.

One of the many fur seal beaches.

View of the port of Otago from Signal Hill.