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Gas diffusion enhanced electrode with ultrathin superhydrophobic macropore structure for acidic CO2 electroreduction
Mingxu Sun1, Jiamin Cheng2, Miho Yamauchi3,4,5,6,7
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan.
Nature Communications
|January 15, 2024
Summary
This study enhances carbon dioxide electroreduction (CO2RR) in acidic electrolytes using a novel gas diffusion electrode (GDE). The GDE design boosts CO2 diffusion, improving efficiency for valuable chemical production.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Catalysis
Background:
- Carbon dioxide electroreduction (CO2RR) converts CO2 into valuable products.
- Acidic electrolytes offer advantages for CO2RR by suppressing carbonate formation.
- CO2 diffusion limitations hinder CO2RR rates in acidic environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design an advanced gas diffusion electrode (GDE) for enhanced CO2 diffusion in acidic electrolytes.
- To improve the efficiency and partial current density of CO2RR for multicarbon products (C2+).
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a copper-based ultrathin superhydrophobic macroporous layer for the GDE.
- Testing the GDE's performance under mechanical deformation.
- Electrochemical evaluation of CO2RR in acidic electrolytes with dilute CO2.
Main Results:
- The novel GDE significantly enhances CO2 diffusion.
- Achieved 87% Faradaic efficiency for C2+ products with a partial current density of -1.6 A cm-2.
- Demonstrated a partial current density of -0.34 A cm-2 for C2+ using dilute 25% CO2.
- Confirmed applicability under mechanical deformation.
Conclusions:
- The designed GDE effectively overcomes CO2 diffusion limitations in acidic electrolytes.
- The GDE facilitates high-efficiency CO2RR for multicarbon products.
- C2+ formation in highly acidic environments follows second-order kinetics, influenced by catalyst and hydroxide.
