Abstract
A key challenge for carbon dioxide reduction on Cu-based catalysts is its low faradic efficiency (FE) and selectivity towards higher-value products, e.g., ethylene. The main factor limiting the possibilities of long-term applications of Cu-based gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) is a relatively fast drop in the catalytic activity of copper layers. One of the solutions to the catalyst stability problem may be an in situ reconstruction of the catalyst during the process. It was observed that the addition of a small amount of copper lactate to the electrolyte results in increased Faradaic efficiency for ethylene formation. Moreover, the addition of copper lactate increases the lifetime of the catalytic layer ca. two times and stabilizes the Faradaic efficiency of the electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene at ca. 30%. It can be concluded that in situ deposition of copper through reduction of copper lactate complexes present in the electrolyte provides new, stable, and selective active sites, promoting the reduction of CO2 to ethylene.
Highlights
The increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is one of the major problems related to the greenhouse effect and will result in serious global warming issues [1]; it impacts the Earth’s surface energy balance and leads to severe environmental impacts [2]
We present the possibility of modifying electrolysis conditions by adding a solution containing copper lactate complexes, which results in a longer lifetime of tested electrodes and increased activity and selectivity of CO2RR electrocatalysts, which may be of particular importance from the point of view of industrial applications
We focus on the electrocatalytic conversion of carbon dioxide to ethylene in an electrochemical flow reactor and the role of copper lactate complexes in this process
Summary
The increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is one of the major problems related to the greenhouse effect and will result in serious global warming issues [1]; it impacts the Earth’s surface energy balance and leads to severe environmental impacts [2]. A promising path to reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere is to recycle carbon dioxide into fuels and commodity chemicals using electrochemical processes [3,4], especially using renewable energy sources, e.g., wind or solar [5]. Due to chemical reactivity and the possibilities of further conversion (into epoxides and subsequently fine chemicals and polymers), ethylene is considered one of the most promising products of CO2 reduction [11]. Selectivity and Faradaic efficiency, as well as stability of the catalyst, need significant improvements. These may be achieved in a few ways, including minimalization of the overpotential for the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), an increase of catalyst selectivity, and an increase of the process efficiency
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