Work

Selective Conversion of CO2 to CO with High Efficiency Using an Inexpensive Bismuth-Based Electrocatalyst

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: The wide-scale implementation of solar and other renewable sources of electricity requires improved means for energy storage. An intriguing strategy in this regard is the reduction of CO2 to CO, which generates an energy-rich commodity chemical that can be coupled to liquid fuel production. In this work, we report an inexpensive bismuth-carbon monoxide evolving catalyst (Bi-CMEC) that can be formed upon cathodic polarization of an inert glassy carbon electrode in acidic solutions containing Bi(3+) ions. This catalyst can be used in conjunction with ionic liquids to effect the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO with appreciable current density at overpotentials below 0.2 V. Bi-CMEC is selective for production of CO, operating with a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 95%. When taken together, these correspond to a high-energy efficiency for CO production, on par with that which has historically only been observed using expensive silver and gold cathodes.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/ja4033549

Authors: John L. DiMeglio, Joel Rosenthal

Institution: University of Delaware

Language: English

Topic: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: green