Bifunctional CuO-Ag/KB Catalyst for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ in an Alkaline Solid-State Electrolysis Cell

Abstract

The conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is progressively gaining momentum. Several strategies have been used to develop technologies that reduce the net emissions of CO2. The utilisation of CO2 could either contribute to carbon recycling. In this paper, the transformation of CO2 was investigated in a coelectrolysis cell constituted of a solid polymer electrolyte, a carbon-supported CuO-Ag composite cathode and NiFeOx anode. Noncritical raw materials were synthesised according to the oxalate method and investigated in an alkaline environment. Low-carbon alcohols were obtained with a specific selectivity for ethanol and methanol over the CuO-Ag/KB cathode. The reaction rates at 1.6 V and 1.8 V cell voltages have been determined in steady-state experiments using NaHCO3 supporting electrolyte recirculated at the anode.

Keywords

• renewables
• CO₂ reduction
• zero-gap electrochemical cell
• synthetic alcohols
• CRM-free catalyst