Quantifying local pH changes in carbonate electrolyte during copper-catalysed $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 electroreduction using in operando $$^{13}\hbox {C}$$ 13 C NMR

Abstract

Abstract The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction on copper attracted considerable attention within the last decade, since Cu is the only elemental transition metal that catalyses the formation of short-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols. Research in this field is mainly focused on understanding the reaction mechanism in terms of adsorbates and intermediates. Furthermore, dynamic changes in the micro-environment of the catalyst, i.e. local pH and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 concentration values, play an equivalently important role in the selectivity of product formation. In this study, we present an in operando $$^{13}\hbox {C}$$ 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance technique that enables the simultaneous measurement of pH and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 concentration in electrode vicinity during electroreduction. The influence of applied potential and buffer capacity of the electrolyte on the formation of formate is demonstrated. Theoretical considerations are confirmed experimentally and the importance of the interplay between catalyst and electrolyte is emphasised.