Carbon Monoxide Conversion Research Articles

The effect of reducing gases on raw iron ore catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

BackgroundCatalyst replacement is one of the significant costs of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis Operational Expenses (OPEX) that needs to be considered to make the process viable, necessitating the need to explore cheaper options precursors such as iron ore. MethodsIn this study, raw iron ore catalyst was ground and sieved into 1-2 mm particle sizes then characterized using different characterization techniques. TPR studies were carried out on the catalyst using three different reducing agents: hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and syngas (a mixture of H2 and CO). In addition, the catalyst was reduced in situ with three different reducing agents and tested for FT synthesis at the same operating conditions. The TPR results were linked to the raw iron ore FT activity to probe the effect of the reducing agent(s) on the catalytic performance. Significant findingsThe TPR showed that the raw iron ore reduced with CO requires a lower temperature for complete reduction than when H2 or syngas are used as reducing agents. The CO reduced catalyst exhibited the highest CO conversion of 94.1%, followed by the H2 reduced catalyst with CO conversion of 80.1%, and while the syngas reduced catalyst showed the least CO conversion of 54.1%.

Influence of flue gas parameters on conversion rates of honeycomb catalysts

• The most important parameter was the flue gas temperature at the catalyst inlet. • Average conversion rate of carbon monoxide was 69% in case of catalyst Cat A. • Average conversion rate of carbon monoxide was 96% in case of catalyst Cat B. • There was no dependence between C 3 H 8 conversion rate and observed parameters. • Tested manually operated stove is suitable for retrofit by catalysts installation. In this study, two honeycomb catalysts with palladium and platina-palladium as active elements were used for an oxidation of products of incomplete combustion such as carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C 3 H 8 ) contained in flue gas produced by a small-scale stove. Catalysts were installed into the flue gas duct right behind the flue gas outlet of the wood log, and pellet stove. During the tests, the conversion rates of unburned pollutants were observed according to volume fraction of oxygen in the flue gas, space velocity of flue gas, temperature of flue gas at the catalysts inlet, and mass concentration of oxidized pollutants at the catalysts inlet. The CO conversion rates ranged between 37% and 95.4% (69% in average) in case of Cat A and 51.4% and 99.9% (96% in average) in case of Cat B. In terms of C 3 H 8 conversion rate, Cat B proved higher effectiveness (25% in average), than Cat A (4% in average). The most significant parameters were determined. The significant influence of combustion phase on C 3 H 8 conversion rate was observed in case of manually loaded stove.

Light-promoted activation of oxygen and carbon monoxide for low-temperature catalytic oxidation

Molecular oxygen (O 2 ) activation is a critical step in the low-temperature catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO). Photocatalysis is a facile way to activate O 2 to superoxide radicals under mild conditions. Photothermal catalysis, which integrates the photocatalysis of semiconductors and the thermocatalysis of noble metals, has arisen as an appealing strategy to achieve low-temperature catalytic oxidation. Here, we report that Pd/PdO/CeO 2 shows that the temperature of 90% CO conversion dropped by 30°C–50°C under irradiation. The apparent activation energy reduces from 64.6 kJ ⋅ mol −1 to 44.6 kJ ⋅ mol −1 . Pd/PdO/TiO 2 and Pd/PdO/Al 2 O 3 are prepared and compared to understand the underlying mechanism. The results reveal that photocatalysis is vital in lowering the apparent activation energy besides the photothermal effect. The photo-generated electrons promote O 2 activation to generate the superoxide anion. The hole can activate the adsorbed CO on the PdO. These active species are beneficial for lowering the CO oxidation temperature. • Pd/PdO/CeO 2 nanowires deposited and annealed in the reaction gas environment • Conversion temperature drops 30°C–50°C under full-spectrum light irradiation • Photocatalytic oxidation provides significant contribution in addition to photothermal effect Here, Dong et al. show photo-assisted thermal catalytic oxidation of CO based on Pd/PdO/CeO 2 . The 90% conversion temperature can be effectively reduced by photocatalytic, Pd plasmonic, and photothermal effects. Photogenerated electrons and holes promote the activation of molecular O 2 and CO to lower the activation energy.

Biomethanation of Carbon Monoxide by Hyperthermophilic Artificial Archaeal Co-Cultures

Climate neutral and sustainable energy sources will play a key role in future energy production. Biomethanation by gas to gas conversion of flue gases is one option with regard to renewable energy production. Here, we performed the conversion of synthetic carbon monoxide (CO)-containing flue gases to methane (CH4) by artificial hyperthermophilic archaeal co-cultures, consisting of Thermococcus onnurineus and Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, Methanocaldococcus vulcanius, or Methanocaldococcus villosus. Experiments using both chemically defined and complex media were performed in closed batch setups. Up to 10 mol% CH4 was produced by converting pure CO or synthetic CO-containing industrial waste gases at a high rate using a co-culture of T. onnurineus and M. villosus. These findings are a proof of principle and advance the fields of Archaea Biotechnology, artificial microbial ecosystem design and engineering, industrial waste-gas recycling, and biomethanation.

Investigation of the Zinc-Copper Catalyst NIAP-06-06 for Steam Conversion of Carbon Monoxide in the Synthesis of Methanol

The possibility to use the zinc-copper catalyst NIAP-06-06 for steam conversion of CO in the synthesis of methanol was explored. The catalyst was characterized by means of TPR H2, XRD and SEM methods and tested in the methanol synthesis in flow and circulation modes at a pressure of 5.0 MPa and gas hourly space velocity of 3000 h–1 over a temperature range of 220–260 °С. The catalyst was shown to be highly active and selective toward the methanol synthesis from a gas with the H2 /СО ratio 3.9, which is obtained by steam conversion of methane. The use of tubular catalytic reactors connected in series in the flow-circulation mode makes it possible to convert more than 70 % of CO and obtain crude methanol with the concentration of 95 %. In the circulation mode, a methanol output of 427.7 kg/(m3 cat·h) was achieved on the catalyst.

Liquid “Syngas” Based on Supercritical Water and Graphite Oxide/TiO2 Composite as Catalyst for CO2 to Organic Conversion

The conversion of carbon monoxide into organic substances is one of the top topics of modern science due to the development of industry and the climate changes caused by it on the one hand, and the possibility of obtaining an economic effect on the other, as it could allow for partial recovery of fuels. A problem in this regard has always been the low solubility of CO2 in water, which eliminated the possibility of easy converting carbon dioxide into the liquid. The development of research on water critical states revealed the fact that water in a subcritical state has a much higher ability to dissolve gases. And this effect was used to obtain the "liquid synthesis gas" model presented in this paper. Equally important was the selection of an appropriate catalyst that would increase the efficiency of the conversion process by generating hydrogen in the system under the influence of cold plasma. In this work we present the studies of transformation of CO2 dissolved in supercritical water using partially reduced graphite oxide—nanometric titania composite (RGO-TiO2) as catalyst, due to the ability of RGO to generate hydrogen in the water environment (water splitting) under the influence of various physical factors, especially cold plasma. The RGO catalyst was stabilized with titanium oxide to obtain higher activity at lower RGO concentrations in the system. Therefore, research on conversions was preceded by a thorough analysis of CO2 solubility in supercritical water, as well as an analysis of the structural, morphological, and spectroscopic properties of the catalyst.Graphic General scheme of cold plasma reactor.

Promoted Ni–Co–Al2O3 nanostructured catalysts for CO2 methanation

15 wt.%Ni-12.5 wt.%Co–Al2O3 catalysts promoted with Fe, Mn, Cu, Zr, La, Ce, and Ba were prepared by a novel solid-state synthesis method and employed in CO2 methanation reaction. BET, XRD, EDS, SEM, TPR, TGA, and FTIR analyses were conducted to identify the chemicophysical characteristics of the prepared samples. The addition of Fe, Mn, La, Ce, and Ba was effective to improve the catalytic performance of the 15 wt%Ni-12.5 wt%Co–Al2O3 due to the higher CO2 adsorption capacity of the promoted catalysts. Among the studied promoters, the Fe-promoted catalyst possessed the highest catalytic activity (XCO2 = 61.2% and SCH4 = 98.87% at 300 °C). Also, the effect of calcination temperature, feed composition, and GHSV on the performance of the 15 wt%Ni-12.5 wt%Co-5wt%Fe–Al2O3 catalyst in CO2 methanation reaction was assessed. The outcomes confirmed that the 15 wt%Ni-12.5 wt%Co-5wt%Fe–Al2O3 catalyst with the BET area of 122.4 m2/g and the highest pore volume and largest pore diameter had the highest catalytic activity. Also, the catalytic performance in the methanation of carbon monoxide was studied, and 100% conversion of carbon monoxide was observed at 250 °C.

The Conversion of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide by Nitrogenases.

Nitrogenases are the only known family of enzymes that catalyze the reduction of molecular nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3). The N2 reduction drives biological nitrogen fixation and the global nitrogen cycle. Besides the conversion of N2, nitrogenases catalyze a whole range of other reductions, including the reduction of the small gaseous substrates carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to hydrocarbons. However, it remains an open question whether these ‘side reactivities’ play a role under environmental conditions. Nonetheless, these reactivities and particularly the formation of hydrocarbons have spurred the interest in nitrogenases for biotechnological applications. There are three different isozymes of nitrogenase: the molybdenum and the alternative vanadium and iron‐only nitrogenase. The isozymes differ in their metal content, structure, and substrate‐dependent activity, despite their homology. This minireview focuses on the conversion of CO and CO2 to methane and higher hydrocarbons and aims to specify the differences in activity between the three nitrogenase isozymes.

On the asymptotic stability of advection-diffusion equations of mass transport in a bubble column bioreactor

This study presents an asymptotic stability analysis of a model of a bioreactor converting carbon monoxide (CO) gas into ethanol through a C. autoethanogenum biocatalyst. The configuration is a bubble column reactor with co-current gas-liquid flows where gas feed is introduced by a gas distributor placed at the bottom of the column. A pure culture of C. autoethanogenum is subsequently injected at the bottom of the column; therein, cells are dispersed in the liquid and consume the dissolved gas and release by-products such as ethanol and acetic acid. Cellular growth and byproduct secretion are affected by spatially varying dissolved gas concentrations due to advection-diffusion mass transports which are induced by the effect of the injection pressure and gravitational force. The model accounts for four species representing the biomass, the CO substrate in the liquid phase, and two by-products - ethanol and acetic acid. Substrate dynamics is described by an advection-diffusion equation.We investigate the asymptotic stability of the biomass dynamics that is a requirement for the system’s controllability, i.e. for the possibility to steer a dynamical system from an arbitrary initial state to an arbitrary final state using a set of controls. The concept of stability of the controls is extremely relevant to controllability since almost every workable control system is designed to be stable. If a control system is not stable, it is usually of no use in practice in industrial processes. In the case of a bioreactor, the control is the biomass and controllability is the possibility of modulating through this control the ethanol production. We present a test for asymptotic stability, based on the analysis of the properties of the dynamic function defining its role as storage function.

Boosting low-temperature water gas shift reaction over Au/TiO2 nanocatalyst activated by oxygen plasma

The efficient removal of carbon monoxide (CO) from H2-rich stream via the water gas shift (WGS) reaction requires the catalysts that possess high activity at low temperatures to avoid the thermodynamic equilibrium limitation. We report that oxygen (O2) plasma activation enables an Au/TiO2 nanocatalyst to achieve superior activity in the WGS reaction at low temperatures. At 120 °C, O2 plasma activated Au/TiO2 nanocatalyst exhibits CO reaction rate of 0.51 mmol·mg−1·h−1, which is 5 times higher than the conventional activated counterpart. CO conversion over O2 plasma activated Au/TiO2 nanocatalyst only slightly decreases from 73% to 68% during a 4.5 h continuous WGS reaction at 150 °C. The catalyst characterizations indicate that O2 plasma activation could control average size of Au nanoparticles below 3.5 nm, create plenty of coordinatively unsaturated sites (on Au nanoparticles) and sufficient Auδ+-Oδ--Ti sites (at interfaces between Au and TiO2), and modulate the electronic structure of interfaces, which accelerates greatly the WGS reaction. Further, the enhancement mechanism of the WGS reaction over O2 plasma activated Au/TiO2 nanocatalyst was disclosed.

Facile synthesis strategy for the development of carbon fiber cloth supported palladium catalyst from spent Pd catalyst for low-temperature CO oxidation

Metal supported catalysts are well-known for the effective conversion of carbon monoxide. Among different support materials that are generally employed, activated carbon-based materials are important because of their well-developed structural characteristics. This paper investigates the development of palladium (Pd) catalyst supported on activated carbon fiber cloth (CFC) as a potential scalable material for mitigation of environmental pollution by studying its carbon monoxide (CO) removal efficiency under ambient conditions. As a Pd source, the deactivated Pd/C catalyst was employed for the development of the Pd/CFC catalyst. Palladium was reduced using reducing agents of different reduction potential, i.e. , sodium borohydride and formaldehyde. The catalysts were characterized using atomic absorption spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, X-ray powder diffraction, BET surface area analyzer, temperature-programmed reduction and desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, H 2 chemisorption followed by CO efficiency studies. It was observed that the microporous nature of activated CFC affects the surface metal concentration of Pd 0 and Pd +2 and accordingly, the CO conversion activity. The study involves testing the dependency of moisture towards the catalyst and noticed that a higher moisture level causes a reduction in the CO conversion efficiency due to pore blockage. • Carbon Monoxide removal studies using Palladium impregnated activated carbon fiber cloth (Pd/CFC) was conducted. • A spent Pd/C catalyst was re-used as a metal precursor for catalyst preparation to make the process economically viable. • The Pd/CFC catalyst was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method followed by liquid media reduction. • The effect of different reducing agents on the efficacy of cloth catalyst was studied. • The structural characteristics of Pd/CFC catalysts and its dependency on moisture for the catalytic activity was studied.

Development of nanosized catalysts for processing synthesis gas to methanol

Conversion of carbon dioxide into chemical waste-free feedstock (carbonates, cyclocarbonates, synthesis gas) requires the use of a two-stage reaction (conversion of carbon monoxide under pressure, followed by purification of the converted gas from carbon dioxide with hot potash or monoethanolamine and removal of residual carbon oxides by catalytic hydrogenation) of the reaction. The main problem with this transformation is that, for energetic reasons, these reactions are difficult to coordinate with each other. To ensure the compatibility of the processes from a thermodynamic point of view, appropriate nanocatalysts are needed to obtain a useful product in the course of the reactions. The authors carried out field tests of various catalysts, discovered the compatibility of the reaction with two catalysts with the required properties: a copper compound for the first stage of the reaction and a compound of zinc oxide for the second stage, and also demonstrated the feasibility of this reaction using phenylethylene contained in a hydrocarbon compound. The numerous processes that can be used to produce methanol can be divided into three categories: indirect, direct, and biofuel. Indirect conversion is widespread throughout the world. This conversion takes place in a process in which biomass, coal or natural gas is converted to a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide known as synthesis gas. The syngas is converted to methanol using a variety of conversion methods. Research on the development and improvement of nanocatalysts for the chemical processing of carbon dioxide into methanol has been carried out. An algorithm has been developed for modeling the composition, structure, and properties of nanocatalysts, and a number of new compounds have been synthesized that are capable of retaining cations with different oxidation states and sizes in the crystal lattice. Work has been carried out to improve nanocatalysts based on nickel for deep methanol hydrotreating.

Influence the performances of hopcalite catalysts by the addition of gold nanoparticle for low temperature CO oxidation

The catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) into carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at a low temperature is very important procedure for all living beings present in the environment. The present study represents that the addition of gold (Au) nano-particles, by the deposition-precipitation method into the hopcalite (CuMnOx) catalyst has been improving their performances for CO oxidation. The CuMnOx catalyst loading by 0.75 wt% Au was representing that the best catalytic activity for CO oxidation than the other catalysts loading by 0.25, 0.5 and 1 wt% Au. The small amount of Au doping (0.75 wt%) in CuMnOx catalyst improves their performances for CO oxidation at an ambient conditions. The gold nano-particles will be introducing the new active sites into the CuMnOx catalyst surfaces and decreases the deactivation of catalyst. The lattice oxygen movement was a major important factor which can influences the performances of hopcalite catalyst for CO oxidation. The calcinations strategies (reactive calcinations and traditional calcinations) of the precursor have huge impacts on the performances of resulting catalysts. The reusability of Au promoted CuMnOx catalyst was also measured and found that this catalyst does not have any major changes in its catalytic performances still after the reuses.

Syngas biomethanation: effect of biomass-gas ratio, syngas composition and pH buffer

The concept of syngas biomethanation is attractive, however, it still needs improvement in optimizing the operational conditions. In the present study, syngas fermentations under different carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) compositions were conducted under two different biomass-gas ratio (BGR) systems. The results showed that high BGR enhanced the CO consumption rate, achieving a 60% enhancement with CO as the sole substrate. Stoichiometric H2 addition could successfully convert all the CO and CO2 to pure methane, however, higher H2 partial pressure might decline the CO consumption due to pH inhibition from consumption of bicarbonate. Microbial analysis showed different syngas composition could affect the bacteria community, while, archaea community was only slightly affected with Methanothermobacter as the dominant methanogen. This study provided strategy for efficient syngas biomethanation and deeper insight into effect of H2 addition on CO conversion under different BGR systems.

Evaluation of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to light olefins over Co- and Fe-based catalysts using artificial neural network

Currently, energy transition due to fossil fuel negative side effects is taking place. This transition impacts the chemical industry based on light olefins reactions. Plastics, detergents, polymers, and others are mostly produced from such hydrocarbons, which are mainly originated from oil-based and highly energy-consuming processes. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) is a strategic technology capable to transform a given carbon source, including natural gas and biomass, into high added-value hydrocarbons. It is affected by several conditions, such as catalyst design and operating conditions and its feasibility requires a good selection of relevant process variables to optimize light olefins yield. In this work, Machine Learning models were used to predict adequate reaction conditions from the catalytic literature data. Three-layer feedforward neural networks were adjusted using a careful selection of operating conditions and catalyst composition as inputs and carbon monoxide conversion, light olefins selectivity, and carbon dioxide yield as outputs. The results indicate neural network prediction efficacy for FTS most relevant variables, such as temperature and catalyst composition. This work presents the novelty of including more variables in the model compared to recent similar studies, such as catalyst support, active phase, and promoters as inputs; and light olefins selectivity and CO2 yield as outputs. Overall, Fe-based catalyst (standard Fe (1.6 wt%) K/TiO2) presented the highest light olefins selectivity and yield at optimal conditions (T = 500 °C and 20 wt% of active phase), despite showing the highest emission of carbon dioxide.

Metabolism perturbation Caused by the overexpression of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/Acetyl-CoA synthase gene complex accelerated gas to acetate conversion rate of Eubacterium limosum KIST612

Microbial conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) to acetate is a promising upcycling strategy for carbon sequestration. Herein, we demonstrate that CO conversion and acetate production rates of Eubacterium limosum KIST612 strain can be improved by in silico prediction and in vivo assessment. The mimicked CO metabolic model of KIST612 predicted that overexpressing the CO dehydrogenase (CODH) increases CO conversion and acetate production rates. To validate the prediction, we constructed mutant strains overexpressing CODH gene cluster and measured their CO conversion and acetate production rates. A mutant strain (ELM031) co-overexpressing CODH, coenzyme CooC2 and ACS showed a 3.1 × increased specific CO oxidation rate as well as 1.4 × increased specific acetate production rate, compared to the wild type strain. The transcriptional and translational data with redox balance analysis showed that ELM031 has enhanced reducing potential from up-regulation of ferredoxin and related metabolism directly linked to energy conservation.

M(II)Al4 Type Layered Double Hydroxides-Preparation Using Mechanochemical Route, Structural Characterization and Catalytic Application.

The synthesis of the copper-poor and aluminum-rich layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of the CuAl4 type was optimized in detail in this work, by applying an intense mechanochemical treatment to activate the gibbsite starting reagent. The phase-pure forms of these LDHs were prepared for the first time; using copper nitrate and perchlorate salts during the syntheses turned out to be the key to avoiding the formation of copper hydroxide sideproducts. Based on the use of the optimized syntheses parameters, the preparation of layered triple and multiple hydroxides was also attempted using Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and even Mg(II) ions. These studies let us identify the relative positions of the incorporating cations in the well-known selectivity series as Ni2+ >> Cu2+ >> Zn2+ > Co2+ >> Mg2+. The solids formed were characterized by using powder X-ray diffractometry, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The catalytic potential of the samples was investigated in carbon monoxide oxidation reactions at atmospheric pressure, supported by an in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy probe. All solids proved to be active and the combination of the nickel and cobalt incorporation (which resulted in a NiCoAl8 layered triple hydroxide) brought outstanding benefits regarding low-temperature oxidation and increased carbon monoxide conversion values.

Small-Scaled Production of Blue Hydrogen with Reduced Carbon Footprint

This article reviews a method of hydrogen production based on partial non-catalytic oxidation of natural gas in an original synthesis gas generator. The working principles of the unit are similar to those of liquid-propellant rocket engines. This paper presents a description of the operation and technical characteristics of the synthesis gas generator. Its application in the creation of small-scaled plants with a capacity of up to 5–7 thousand m3/h of hydrogen is justified. Hydrogen production in the developed installation requires a two-stage method and includes a technological unit for producing a hydrogen-containing gas. Typical balance compositions of hydrogen-containing gas at the synthesis gas generator’s outlet are given. To increase the hydrogen concentration, it is proposed to carry out a two-stage steam catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas at the synthesis gas generator’s outlet using a single Cu–Zn–cement-containing composition. Based on thermodynamic calculations, quasi-optimal modes of natural gas partial oxidation with oxygen are formulated and the results of material balance calculation for the installation are presented. In order to produce “blue” hydrogen, the scheme of carbon dioxide separation and liquefaction is developed. The conclusion section of the paper contains the test results of a pilot demonstration unit and the recommendations for improving the technology and preventing soot formation.

Thermodynamic analysis and optimization for steam methane reforming hydrogen production system using high temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module

ABSTRACT Thermodynamic analysis and optimization for the steam methane reforming (SMR) hydrogen production system using the high temperature gas-cooled reactor pebble-bed module power plant (HTR-PM) are investigated in this work. Based on the thermodynamic-equilibrium model, parameters of thermal efficiency (η), hydrogen production (Y H2/methane), methane conversion rate (X 1) and carbon monoxide conversion rate (X 2) are calculated under the specified temperature (T), pressure (P) and water-to-carbon ratio (S). The influence of S, T, P on η, Y H2/methane, X 1 and X 2 is then analyzed. It considers a wide range of operating conditions (T = 400–1200°C; P = 2–7 MPa and S = 2–10). The results show that the influence of on the system performance is significant. When T > 950°C, η and Y H2/methane increases slowly (4 < S ≤ 6) or reduces (S > 6). For the operating conditions of HTR-PM (P = 7 MPa; S = 6 and T = 950°C), the maximum value of η is 63.44% and the maximum Y H2/methane is 3.3 mol. At last, system optimized parameters are illustrated.

Boosting the faradaic efficiency for carbon dioxide to monoxide on a phthalocyanine cobalt based gas diffusion electrode to higher than 99% via microstructure regulation of catalyst layer

Various electrocatalysts have been developed to efficiently catalyze the CO2 electrochemical reduction reactions (CO2-ERRs). However, the electrode on which the CO2-ERRs occur is more crucial from a practical viewpoint. Herein, we have investigated the phthalocyanine cobalt (CoPc) based gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for CO2 to carbon monoxide (CO) conversion. CoPc based GDEs achieved CO partial current densities of up to 110 mA cm−2, and faradaic efficiency for CO (FECO) clearly above 99%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and contact angle measurement reveal the important role of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) binder and the carbon black (CB) in the catalyst layer (CL) of the CoPc based GDE, whose presence and distribution constitute likely the basic networks for mass transfer and electrons conduction, the origins of the favorable CO2-to-CO current density and selectivity. This work provides vital insight into practical consideration in designing efficient reaction regions for CoPc based GDEs with an optimal structure, that must optimize mass transport as well as electron conduction.