Enhanced Oxygen Migration on Tailored Lanthanum-Based Perovskite by Cu and Ni Substitution For Solar Thermochemical Co2 Reduction

The solar thermochemical CO2 reduction faces the lack of suitable intermediate materials. Cu and Ni substitutions were incorporated into lanthanum-based perovskite as a promising intermediate material. Tailored LaCu0.5Ni0.5O3 is reduced by partial oxidation of methane (POM) and the consumed lattice oxygen is supplemented by CO2­ reduction for CO production. The synergistic effect of Cu and Ni substitution were unveiled and LaCu0.5Ni0.5O3 shows low activation energy for methane oxidation and high oxygen migration ability compared to other lanthanum-based perovskites. The oxygen nonstoichiometry is analyzed to determine the equilibrium temperature of POM (<400 oC). Approximately 83% for methane conversion with 97% CO selectivity during POM and near-complete CO2 conversion during CO2 reduction are achieved at 650 oC. The proposed solar thermal chemical looping process shows 86% lower energy demands and negative CO2 production compared to steam methane reforming, providing an attractive pathway for CO2 reduction, clean methane conversion and efficient chemical production.