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Continuous Flow Photoelectrochemical Reactor with Gas Permeable Photocathode: Enhanced Photocurrent and Partial Current Density for CO2 Reduction

Journal Article · · Advanced Science
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1]
  1. Korea Advanced Inst. Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia)
  3. Korea Advanced Inst. Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam)
  4. Korea Advanced Inst. Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); University of California, Berkeley, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO2 reduction using a photocathode is an attractive method for making valuable chemical products due to its simplicity and lower overpotential requirements. However, previous PEC processes have often been diffusion-limited leading to low production rates of the CO2 reduction reaction, due to inefficient gas diffusion through the liquid electrolyte to the catalyst surface, particularly at high current densities. In this study, a gas-permeable photocathode in a continuous flow PEC reactor is incorporated, which facilitates the direct supply of CO2 gas to the photocathode-electrolyte interface, unlike dark reaction-based flow reactors. This concept is demonstrated using Ag-TiO2 on carbon paper, illuminated through a quartz window and flowing liquid electrolyte. CO2 supply is managed via pressure and flow control on the non-illuminated side of the carbon paper. The photocurrent density is significantly influenced by the flow rates and pressure of CO2 gas, and the electrolyte flow rates. Compared to the traditional H-cell, the continuous PEC flow reactor achieves ≈10-fold increase in CO faradaic efficiency, 30-fold increase in production rate and 16-fold increase in stability without catalyst modifications. This work provides essential insights into the design and application of continuous gas-liquid flow PEC reactor systems, highlighting their potential for other PEC reactions.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division (CSGB)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; SC0021266
OSTI ID:
2482111
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2546951
Journal Information:
Advanced Science, Journal Name: Advanced Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 12; ISSN 2198-3844
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
PEC catalyst
continuous flow reactor
gas diffusion electrode
gas-permeable photocathode
photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO2 reduction