Methanol electrosynthesis from CO2 reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte reactors – fuel cell type using [6,6′-(2,2′-bipyridine-6,6′-diyl)bis(1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine)] (dinitrate-O) copper (II) complex

Abstract

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction has been an attractive way to convert greenhouse gas into valuable chemical fuels based on carbon-neutral energy. Therefore, it serves as an effective approach to combating high concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere as well as reducing the use of fossil fuels responsible for emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, meeting growing energy demands. In this work, the copper(II) bis-triazine bipyridine complex supported on carbon black has been applied as a catalyst in a polymeric electrolytic reactor – fuel cell type for converting CO2 into methanol. The physical and nanostructure properties of the Cu(II) nanocomposite were previously determined by Fourier transform infrared, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of the Cu complex catalyst was monitory by differential mass spectroscopy. The results indicate that the catalyst is not selective for the preferential synthesis of a specific product, but a mixture of products (methanol, formic acid, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and methane) was detected. According to our results, 2.5% and 5% Cu complex on carbon black were the ideal amounts for polymeric electrolytic reactor – fuel cell type applications to produce methanol from CO2 with faradaic efficiency of ∼22% for both compositions.