Electrocatalyst Derived from Waste Cu-Sn Bronze for CO₂ Conversion into CO.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Sustainable existence necessitates reducing raw material extraction and developing reuse technologies.
• Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) presents a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-derived chemicals.
• Current electrocatalysts often rely on scarce or endangered metals, posing supply chain risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a sustainable electrocatalyst from waste industrial bronze for CO2 reuse.
• To investigate the electrochemical conversion of CO2 using repurposed Cu-Sn bronze.
• To assess the efficiency, selectivity, and durability of the novel catalyst.

Main Methods:

• Waste Cu-Sn bronze (Cu14Sn) was electrochemically dissolved and redeposited using a dynamic hydrogen bubble template method.
• Mesoporous Cu-Sn foam electrodes with a surface composition of Cu10Sn were synthesized.
• Electrochemical CO2 reduction was performed, and product selectivity and faradaic efficiency were measured.

Main Results:

• Mesoporous Cu-Sn foam electrodes were successfully synthesized from waste bronze.
• The electrodes demonstrated high selectivity (>85% faradaic efficiency) for CO2 electroreduction to carbon monoxide (CO).
• Hydrogen evolution reaction was significantly suppressed, and the catalyst showed stable performance over several hours.

Conclusions:

• Repurposing waste bronze is a viable strategy for creating effective CO2 electroreduction catalysts.
• The developed Cu-Sn foam electrodes offer a sustainable and efficient pathway for CO2 utilization.
• This approach addresses both waste management and the need for sustainable chemical production.