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Title: Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to CH3OH at Copper Oxide Surfaces

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3561636· OSTI ID:1064980

The direct reduction of CO2 to CH3OH is known to occur at several types of electrocatalysts including oxidized Cu electrodes. In this work, we examine the yield behavior of an electrodeposited cuprous oxide thin film and explore relationships between surface chemistry and reaction behavior relative to air-oxidized and anodized Cu electrodes. CH3OH yields (43 μmol cm-2 h-1) and Faradaic efficiencies (38%) observed at cuprous oxide electrodes were remarkably higher than air-oxidized or anodized Cu electrodes suggesting Cu(I) species may play a critical role in selectivity to CH3OH. Experimental results also show CH3OH yields are dynamic and the copper oxides are reduced to metallic Cu in a simultaneous process. Yield behavior is discussed in comparison with photoelectrochemical and hydrogenation reactions where the improved stability of Cu(I) species may allow continuous CH3OH generation.

Research Organization:
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Atomic-Level Catalyst Design (CALCD)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
DOE Contract Number:
SC0001058
OSTI ID:
1064980
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 158, Issue 5; Related Information: CALCD partners with Louisiana State University (lead); Clemson University; University of Florida; Georgia Institute of Technology; Grambling State University; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Ohio State University; Pennsylvania State; Texas A&M University; Vienna University of Technology, Austria; University of Utrecht, Netherlands
Publisher:
Electrochemical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English