Three-dimensional porous hollow fibre copper electrodes for efficient and high-rate electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction

• Published in: Nature communications 2016-02, Vol.7 (1), p.10748-10748, Article 10748
• Main Authors: Kas, Recep, Hummadi, Khalid Khazzal, Kortlever, Ruud, de Wit, Patrick, Milbrat, Alexander, Luiten-Olieman, Mieke W. J., Benes, Nieck E., Koper, Marc T. M., Mul, Guido
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 140/146; 639/301/299/161; 639/638/77; Humanities and Social Sciences; multidisciplinary; Science; Science (multidisciplinary)
• ISSN: 2041-1723; 2041-1723
• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10748

Aqueous-phase electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide requires an active, earth-abundant electrocatalyst, as well as highly efficient mass transport. Here we report the design of a porous hollow fibre copper electrode with a compact three-dimensional geometry, which provides a large area, three-phase boundary for gas–liquid reactions. The performance of the copper electrode is significantly enhanced; at overpotentials between 200 and 400 mV, faradaic efficiencies for carbon dioxide reduction up to 85% are obtained. Moreover, the carbon monoxide formation rate is at least one order of magnitude larger when compared with state-of-the-art nanocrystalline copper electrodes. Copper hollow fibre electrodes can be prepared via a facile method that is compatible with existing large-scale production processes. The results of this study may inspire the development of new types of microtubular electrodes for electrochemical processes in which at least one gas-phase reactant is involved, such as in fuel cell technology. Aqueous phase electrochemical reduction of CO 2 requires an active electrocatalyst and efficient mass transport. Here, the authors report a hollow fibre copper electrode displaying compact 3D geometry, with a large area, three phase boundary for gas-liquid reactions, and subsequently enhanced performance.