Reduction of carbon dioxide on modified glassy carbon electrodes
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere gives an important contribution to environmental pollution due to the progressive increase of its production everywhere from many sources. It is believed now that the capacity of the biosphere, due to absorption and transformation of CO{sub 2}, has been considerably exceeded and many attempts to overcome this problem by different ways, have been successful. Electrochemical reduction seems to be an appropriate route for carbon dioxide consumption and its transformation to useful compounds. Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide on glassy carbon (GC) was studied by applying different potential regimes and monitoring the effect of the electrode surface conditioning, as well as the nature of supporting electrolyte, upon the nature of the reaction. In the case of constant potential electrolyses, a rapid decay of the cathodic current was observed, while application of a suitable pulse program to the working electrode, in addition to the ultrasonic cleaning of the surface, allowed completion of the reaction without premature current downfall. Modification of the electrode surface, by applying potential pulses, caused a decrease of the reduction potential of CO{sub 2} on glassy carbon. High yields in carbon monoxide and methanol were obtained in these media, with the highest value obtained for methanol in sodium chloride and carbon monoxide in ammonium oxalate.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. de Los Andes, Merida (VE)
- OSTI ID:
- 20003947
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 146; ISSN JESOAN; ISSN 0013-4651
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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