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PI Ryuji Kikuchi　Professor

PI message

At the Chemical Systems Engineering Laboratory, we conduct research in a way “seeing the forest for the trees, and the trees for the forests.” We understand the forest well and plant and grow trees for that forest. In addition, by looking at the trees grown from seeds, we also propose and design what kind of forest can be created. As an example, we will introduce the development of a new hydrogen purification system for fuel cells. As a new system (forest), we proposed a method to selectively methaneize and remove carbon monoxide and developed a catalyst material (tree) to realize this system. By working on both the design of the hydrogen purification system and the development of catalytic materials for the elemental technologies, we were able to efficiently approach the realization of the new system.

On the other hand, in the material development (tree) of the element, you may come across unexpected discoveries. In the above-mentioned development of catalysts for selective CO methanation, a material (tree) that methaneizes coexisting carbon dioxide with 100% selectivity was found. Although it is a “bad catalyst” from the original purpose, it is an “extremely excellent catalyst” as a carbon dioxide methanation catalyst that has been attracting attention in recent years. It is a material that greatly contributes to the global carbon cycle system (forest). In this way, by accurately grasping and understanding the performance of substances and thinking about the development of the system with flexible thinking, there is great potential for developing new systems in front of you. Let’s proceed with research toward a zero-carbon society together.

Research

In our laboratory, we are working on the development of efficient energy/material conversion systems for the future zero-carbon society, and research on the materials and devices necessary for that purpose. We are conducting research on energy carriers such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methane for effective use of renewable energy, and research on highly efficient power generation and material conversion systems from energy carriers. We are also working on the synthesis of useful substances such as fuels and chemicals from CO2 and hydrogen using solid catalysts to reduce CO2 emissions and recycle carbon resources.

Member

• Ryuji Kikuchi

  Professor

  Research Field

  Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Reaction Engineering, Catalytic Chemistry
• Shohei Tada

  Associate Professor

  Research Field

  Chemical Engineering, Reaction Engineering, Catalysis

Main Research Achievements

• Y. Yuan, S. Tada, R. Kikuchi, Electrochemically promoted ammonia synthesis on an Fe/BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_3-δ catalyst at ambient pressure, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 6, 458-465 (2022).
• S. Tada, H. Nagase, N. Fujiwara, R. Kikuchi, What are the best active sites for CO₂ methanation over Ni/CeO₂?, Energy Fuels, 35(6), 5241-5251 (2021).
• Y. Yuan, S. Tada, R. Kikuchi, Ammonia synthesis using Fe/BZY-RuO₂ catalysts and a cesium dihydrogen phosphate-based electrolyte at intermediate temperatures, Mater. Adv., 2, 793-803 (2021).
• N. Fujiwara, H. Nagase, S. Tada, R. Kikuchi, Hydrogen Production by Steam Electrolysis in Solid Acid Electrolysis Cells, ChemSusChem, 14(1), 417-427 (2021).
• S. Tada, F. Otsuka, K. Fujiwara, C. Moularas, Y. Deligiannakis, Y. Kinoshita, S. Uchida, T. Honma, M. Nishijima, R. Kikuchi, Development of CO₂-to-Methanol Hydrogenation Catalyst by Focusing on the Coordination Structure of the Cu species in Spinel-type Oxide Mg_1-xCu_xAl₂O₄, ACS Catal., 10(24), 15186-15194 (2020).
• T. Mishina, N. Fujiwara, S. Tada, A. Takagaki, R. Kikuchi, S.T. Oyama, Calcium-Modified Ni-SDC Anodes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Direct Dry Reforming of Methane, J. Electrochem. Soc., 167(13), 134512 (2020).
• Y. Honda, N. Fujiwara, S. Tada, Y. Kobayashi, S.T. Oyama, R. Kikuchi, Direct Electrochemical Synthesis of Oxygenates from Ethane using Phosphate-based Electrolysis Cells, Chem. Commun., 56, 11199-11202 (2020).
• H. Nagase, R. Naito, S. Tada, R. Kikuchi, K. Fujiwara, M. Nishijima, T. Honma, Ru nanoparticles supported on amorphous ZrO₂ for CO₂ methanation, Catal. Sci. Technol., 10, 4522-4531 (2020).
• N. Fujiwara, S. Tada, R. Kikuchi, Power-to-gas Systems Utilizing Methanation Reaction in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Cathodes: A Model-based Study, Sustainable Energy Fuels, 4, 2691-2706 (2020)
• S. Tada, K. Fujiwara, T. Yamamura, M. Nishijima, S. Uchida, R. Kikuchi, Flame Spray Pyrolysis Makes Highly Loaded Cu Nanoparticles on ZrO₂ for CO₂-to-methanol Hydrogenation, Chem. Eng. J., 381, 122750 (2020)
• N. Fujiwara, T. Minami, R. Kikuchi, A. Takagaki, T. Sugawara, S. Tada, S.T. Oyama, Low Ni-Containing Cermet Anodes of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Size-Controlled Samarium-Doped Ceria Particles, J. Electrochem. Soc., 166(12), F716-F723 (2019).

Contact

rkikuchi8(at)eng.hokudai.ac.jp