Mahito Atobe

Development of Innovative Reaction Processes Based on Electrolysis Technology with Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Research Director

Mahito Atobe

Collaborator

Seiji Suga	Professor Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology Okayama University
Aiichiro Nagaki	Professor Faculty of Science Hokkaido University
Shigenori Mitsushima	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Yokohama National University
Ichiro Yamanaka	Professor School of Materials and Chemical Technology Tokyo Institute of Technology

Outline

In order to reduce the energy required to produce fundamental chemical products, this research aims to construct highly efficient and innovative reaction/synthesis processes by proactive application of technology to the elements and device technologies from the field of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The reseach also aims to apply this innovative reaction technology to on-site and on-demand production ofchemical products.

Seiji Ogo

Development of Chemical Reactions Using Electron Storage Catalysts

Research Director

Seiji Ogo

Collaborator

Kenji Kaneko	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Kyushu University
Takashi Hibino	Professor Graduate School of Environmental Studies Nagoya University

Outline

Aldehydes are important industrial chemicals because they can be transformed into a wide variety of other chemicals. Currently, however, aldehydes are synthesized on an industrial scale by using toxic carbon monoxide and large amounts of energy. To solve these problems, this new project will use catalysts, which can store electrons. This means that aldehydes can be synthesized from electrons and carbon dioxide. The technology can be extended to the production of other important industrial chemicals such as acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide.

Tomoki Ogoshi

New Material Series “Three-dimensional Carbon Frameworks” for Innovative Catalysis

Research Director

Tomoki Ogoshi

Collaborator

Kazuhide Kamiya	Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering Science Osaka University
Ryota Sakamoto	Professor Graduate School of Science Tohoku University
Yuta Nishina	Research Professor Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences Okayama University
Hirotomo Nishihara	Professor Advanced Institute for Materials Research Tohoku University

Outline

We aim to develop a new material series of “three-dimensional carbon frameworks” that have ordered carbon structures at the molecular scale. The titled materials are synthesized by carbonization of organic crystals designed to retain their ordered structures as well as catalytic activities. They have molecularly defined frameworks together with the advantages of carbon materials such as electric conductivity and thermal/chemical stability, thus are applied to high-performance electrocatalysts.

Eiji Shirakawa

Innovative Electron Catalysis Explored by Control of Anion Radicals

Research Director

Eiji Shirakawa

Collaborator

Manabu Abe	Professor Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering Hiroshima University
Takashi Koike	Associate Professor Faculty of Fundamental Engineering Nippon Institute of Technology
Tsuyoshi Taniguchi	Senior Researcher Interdisciplinary Research Center for Catalytic Chemistry National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Takashi Nishikata	Professor Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation Yamaguchi University
Toshiki Nokami	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Tottori University

Outline

Electron-Catalyzed reactions, which employ an electron as a catalyst instead of a conventional transition metal, have high potential for synthesis of useful organic compounds with saving resources and energy. However, generation of anion radical species, key intermediates for this process, requires high thermal energy, where the scope of the substrate has been limited. In this study, we will establish principle “electron catalysis” to develop diverse reactions, by actively controlling an electron catalyst with light and/or electricity with theoretical support by observation and analysis of the anion radical species.