Regenerative methanol fuel cells: Reduction of CO2 to methanol on oxidized Cu electrodes
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of CO2 was performed via oxidized Cu electrodes in an aqueous KHCO3 solution saturated with CO 2. Although the formal potentials for reducing Cu oxides are much higher (E = 0.522 V (SHE) for Cu+ and E = 0.340 V (SHE) for Cu 2+) than CO2 reduction, CO2 reduction products are observed for short time periods (<10 minutes) in batch reactors. Electrodeposited Cu(I) electrodes showed the highest CH3OH yields near 43 μmol cm-2 hr-1 with Faradaic efficiencies near 38%. The work suggests oxide interfaces play a key role in product selectivity and lends insight into characteristics needed for stable electrocatalyts for direct CH3OH generation from CO2. ©The Electrochemical Society.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
ECS Transactions
First Page
253
Last Page
259
Recommended Citation
Ren, M., Le, M., Zhang, Z., Sprunger, P., & Flake, J. (2010). Regenerative methanol fuel cells: Reduction of CO2 to methanol on oxidized Cu electrodes. ECS Transactions, 33 (39), 253-259. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.3589934