The role of the promoting ionic species in electrochemical promotion and in metal-support interactions

• Published in: Catalysis today 2021-03, Vol.363, p.122-127
• Main Authors: Grigoriou, D., Zagoraios, D., Katsaounis, A., Vayenas, C.G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CO2hydrogenation; Electrochemical promotion of catalysis; EPOC; Metal-Support interactions; MSI; NEMCA effect
• ISSN: 0920-5861; 1873-4308
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2019.08.024

[Display omitted] •The hydrogenation of CO2 was electropromoted on porous Ru/YSZ and Ru/BZY films.•The CH4 selectivity is electropromoted between 45% and 80% on Ru/YSZ films.•The CH4 selectivity is electropromoted between 15% and 65% on Ru/BZY films.•Nanodispersed Ru/YSZ and Ru/BZY catalysts give CH4 selectivity of 90% and 25%.•Higher hydrocarbon production is obtained using Ru-Co nanodispersed on BZY. The reaction of CO2 hydrogenation is of high environmental interest since it allows for the transformation of the logistically challenging H2, gained from renewable sources, to the much more manageable hydrocarbons. Ruthenium is a catalyst widely used to produce methane from CO2. In this study we present an example of how Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (EPOC) can elucidate the role of solid electrolytes (YSZ, BZY) supporting Ru porous films or nanoparticles. It is found that the sign of the charge (-/+) of the current-conducting species of the electrolyte has a profound effect on the selectivity of Ru during CO2 hydrogenation. Using this insight, we have developed and tested a new supported Ru-Co catalyst for the production of higher hydrocarbons.