One-step electrosynthesis of ethylene and ethanol from CO2 in an alkaline electrolyzer

Electroreduction of CO2 has potential for storing otherwise wasted intermittent renewable energy, while reducing emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. Identifying robust and efficient electrocatalysts and associated optimum operating conditions to produce hydrocarbons at high energetic efficiency (lo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of power sources 2016-01, Vol.301, p.219-228
Main Authors: Ma, Sichao, Sadakiyo, Masaaki, Luo, Raymond, Heima, Minako, Yamauchi, Miho, Kenis, Paul J.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkaline electrolyzer
C2 hydrocarbons
Carbon-neutral energy
CO2 reduction
Cu nanoparticles
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Summary:Electroreduction of CO2 has potential for storing otherwise wasted intermittent renewable energy, while reducing emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. Identifying robust and efficient electrocatalysts and associated optimum operating conditions to produce hydrocarbons at high energetic efficiency (low overpotential) remains a challenge. In this study, four Cu nanoparticle catalysts of different morphology and composition (amount of surface oxide) are synthesized and their activities towards CO2 reduction are characterized in an alkaline electrolyzer. Use of catalysts with large surface roughness results in a combined Faradaic efficiency (46%) for the electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene and ethanol in combination with current densities of ∼200 mA cm−2, a 10-fold increase in performance achieved at much lower overpotential (only 
ISSN:0378-7753
1873-2755
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2015.09.124