Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Methanol with a Molecular Cobalt‐Catalyst‐Loaded Porous Carbon Electrode Assisted by a CIGS Photovoltaic Cell. Issue 8 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ruwen; Boutin, Etienne; Barreau, Nicolas; Odobel, Fabrice; Bonin, Julien; Robert, Marc
• Is Part Of: ChemPhotoChem. Volume 5:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 710
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: carbon dioxide reduction -- copper indium gallium selenide -- electrochemical catalysis -- methanol -- molecular supported catalysis; Photochemistry -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 541.35
• DOI: 10.1002/cptc.202100035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2367-0932

Abstract

Abstract: Conversion of CO2 into valuable compounds, including fuels, with renewable energy sources and sustainable compounds is a challenge addressed by artificial photosynthesis research. In particular, the application of solar assisted electrochemical (EC) processes, in which electrons are furnished by a photovoltaic (PV) cell, is a promising approach. A PV‐EC system is described, consisting of a CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) PV unit linked to a carbon electrode loaded with cobalt phthalocyanine as molecular catalyst, able to achieve the CO2 reduction to CO and then to methanol in aqueous media with limited bias voltage. Using CO as starting material, a partial current density of ca. 0.6 mA cm −2 for methanol is obtained at a bias voltage corresponding to a low 240 mV overpotential. Remarkably, the liquid fuel production can be sustained for at least 7 h. Under ideal conditions, the CO2 ‐to‐CH3 OH reaction shows a global Faradaic efficiency of 28 %. Abstract : A strong support : A combination of a CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) photovoltaic (PV) cell with a molecular cobalt catalyst loaded on a porous carbon electrode was able to achieve solar assisted CO2 reduction to CO and then to methanol. Using CO as a reactant, a partial current density for alcohol production close to 0.6 mA cm −2 was obtained at low overpotential (ca. 240 mV). This PV‐EC system works at ambient conditions and in aqueous conditions, with excellent stability over time.