Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide by Cobalt-Phthalocyanine-Incorporated Polypyrrole

Abstract

In the quest for catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 , a cobalt phthalocyanine/polypyrrole (CoPc/PPy) composite electrode has been developed. The electrode is prepared by drop casting CoPc onto the PPy film from the CoPc/tetrahydrofuran solution (1 mg/mL). The onset potential for CO 2 reduction occurred at potentials 160 mV more positive than observed with a simple PPy electrode. Furthermore, in the potentiostatic electrolysis, the catalytic current for CO 2 reduction at CoPc/PPy was very stable, with a higher current density and current efficiency when compared to the PPy electrode.