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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Rapid Decoupled Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Syngas
Mark Potter1, Hamza Annath1, Craig G Armstrong2
1Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK.
Abstract:
Decoupled electrochemical reactions provide a scalable strategy for electrosynthesis, especially as the demand for renewably sourced chemicals intensifies. Here, we report a rapid, decoupled electrochemical reduction of CO2 to syngas (CO and H2), using a Cr(II) PDTA complex with a highly reducing potential (in aqueous media, -0.7 V vs. RHE) in conjunction with a gold-poly(vinyl alcohol)/carbon nanocomposite catalyst. We demonstrate the efficient discharge of the CO2-saturated Cr(II) solution, generating syngas at a rate of 30-60 mA mg-1 of catalyst, achieving comparable conversion rates to state-of-the-art gas diffusion electrode (GDE) assemblies reported in the literature at 'mild' CO2 reduction potentials of ca. -0.8 V versus RHE. Systematic optimisation of the catalyst composite enabled control over CO/H2 ratios, highlighting a promising route for the scalable, green production of Fischer-Tropsch feedstocks via redox mediated CO2 electroreduction.
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