CO2 Reduction of Hybrid Cu2O–Cu/Gas Diffusion Layer Electrodes and their Integration in a Cu‐based Photoelectrocatalytic Cell. Issue 18 (22nd August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Brito, Juliana Ferreira; Genovese, Chiara; Tavella, Francesco; Ampelli, Claudio; Boldrin Zanoni, Maria Valnice; Centi, Gabriele; Perathoner, Siglinda
• Is Part Of: ChemSusChem. Volume 12:Issue 18(2019)
• Page Start: 4274
• Page End: 4284
• Publication Date: 2019-08-22
• Subjects: CO2 reduction -- electrocatalytic -- gas diffusion layer -- hybrid electrode -- photoelectrocatalytic cell; Green chemistry -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201901352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1864-5631

Abstract

Abstract: Cu2 O/gas diffusion layer (GDL) electrodes prepared by electrodeposition were studied for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 . The designed electrode was also tested in solar‐light‐induced CO2 conversion in combination with a CuO/NtTiO2 photoanode using a compact photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) cell. Both PEC cell electrodes were prepared using non‐critical raw materials and low cost, easily scalable procedures. In the PEC experiments, a total carbon faradaic selectivity of about 90 % to formate and about 75 % to acetate was obtained after 24 h of operations without application of potential/current or using sacrificial agents. In electrocatalytic tests of CO2 reduction at −1.5 V, the same electrode yielded high total faradaic selectivity (>95 %) but formed selectively formate (about 80 % selectivity) rather than acetate. The in situ transformation of the Cu2 O/GDL electrode leads to the formation of a hybrid Cu2 O–Cu/GDL system. Cyclic voltammetry data indicate that the potential and the presence of CO2 (not only of HCO3 − species) are both important elements in this transformation. Data also indicate that the surface concentration of CO2 (or of its products of transformation) on the electrode is an important factor to determine performance in the conversion of CO2 . Abstract : Hybrid exclusivity : High faradaic selectivity in the CO2 reduction to formate and acetate are shown by a hybrid Cu2 O–Cu/gas diffusion layer system tested both in an electrocatalytic single cell and coupled to a CuO/NtTiO2 photoanode in a photoelectrocatalytic solar cell.