Using the Solar Spectrum to Convert the Mars Atmosphere into Fuel with Novel Photocatalysts, Year 1

A photocatalytic reactor will be constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of conversion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to fuel for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Mars energy production. The photocatalytic reactor will provide performance testing of catalysts for investigation of solar effects and feasibility of photocatalytic reactions for energy production.

Resources such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (95% of Mars atmosphere) as well as the available solar spectrum on the surface of Mars, can aide in production of fuel (methane) with photocatalysts via redox reactions occurring on the photocatalyst surface. Success of solar cells has been proven on Mars exploration rovers, which gives high confidence for future solar powered missions and applications on the Martian surface. The research will investigate the effects of temperature, pressure, light intensity and light wavelength on CO2 conversion for fuel production. This data will provide kinetic limitations and rates for CO2 conversion to fuel (methane with the addition of hydrogen) production, aided with the use of analytical instrumentation. Characterization of the catalysts will also be performed pre and post reaction using analytical instrumentation and characterization equipment located at KSC and the University of South Florida (USF).

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