Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Preparing Silica Aerogel Monoliths via a Rapid Supercritical Extraction Method
Published on: February 28, 2014
Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation by Means of Plasmonic Resonance Activation in Silica Aerogel Media
Sergio Muñoz1, Alexander Navarrete2, Ángel Martín3
1BioEcoUVa, Bioeconomy Research Institute, High Pressure Processes Group, Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, C/Prado de la Magdalena s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain. sergiomp@iq.uva.es.
Abstract:
Surface Plasmon Resonance can be used to activate zinc oxide/copper catalysts in order to perform the carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction by means of light energy, avoiding high-temperature processes. The synthesis and impregnation methods have been designed to fill glass microreactors with ZnO/Cu nanoparticles supported on transparent silica aerogels to maximize the light absorbed by the catalyst. A LED device surrounding the glass microreactors provided white light to activate the catalyst homogeneously throughout the reactor. Temperature, pressure, amount of catalyst and gases flow were studied as possible variables to enhance the process trying to maximize CO₂ conversion rates, achieving the best results working at high pressures. The use of transparent SiO₂ Aerogels as supports for photocatalytic gas phase reactions even under high-pressure conditions is demonstrated.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Carbon-dioxide Fixation
Carbon Dioxide Transport in the Blood
Forms of CO2 Transport
1. Dissolved in plasma: A small percentage (7-10%) of CO2 is transported and dissolved directly in the plasma.
2. Carbaminohemoglobin: Just over 20% of CO2 is chemically bound to...
Resonance
Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrogen Bonds Control the World!
Because hydrogen has very weak electronegativity when it binds with a strongly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, electrons in the bond are unequally shared....
Hydrogen Bonds
The Carbon Cycle

