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Electrochemical reduction of high pressure CO[sub 2] on Ni electrodes

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2221599· OSTI ID:6250037
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Tokyo Inst. of Tech., Yokohama (Japan). Dept. of Electronic Chemistry

The electrochemical reduction of CO[sub 2] under high pressures of CO[sub 2] was investigated on Ni electrodes. With an increase in CO[sub 2] pressure, the Faradaic efficiency for CO[sub 2] reduction was increased while that of H[sub 2] evolution by water reduction was decreased. Current density at [minus]1.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl did not depend greatly on CO[sub 2] pressure at 30C. By increasing temperature, the Faradaic efficiency for hydrocarbon formation was increased, suggesting that thermal activation was needed, although the total reduction efficiency for CO[sub 2] reduction was decreased. The Faradaic efficiency for the hydrocarbon formation showed a maximum at [minus]1.6 V (Ag/AgCl), while those for CO and HCOOH were increased with increasing cathodic polarization. The weight distribution of hydrocarbons formed on Fe, Co, and Ni electrodes agreed well with the Schultz-Flory distribution, indicating that hydrocarbons were formed via a mechanism similar to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction for thermal catalysis, i.e., polymerization of surface carbene groups ([minus]CH[sub 2][minus]) produced by the reduction of CO which was formed by CO[sub 2] reduction.

OSTI ID:
6250037
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States) Vol. 140:6; ISSN JESOAN; ISSN 0013-4651
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English