Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: CO 2 electrolysis is a key step in CO 2 conversion into fuels and chemicals as a way of mitigating climate change. We report the synthesis and testing of a series of new anion‐conductive membranes (tradenamed Sustainion™) for use in CO 2 electrolysis. These membranes incorporate the functional character of imidazolium‐based ionic liquids as co‐catalysts in CO 2 reduction into a solid membrane with a styrene backbone. We find that the addition of an imidazolium group onto the styrene side‐chains increases the selectivity of the reaction from approximately 25 % to approximately 95 %. The current at 3 V is increased by a factor of 14. So far we have been able to tune these parameters to achieve stable cells that provide current densities higher than 100 mA cm −2 at 3 V cell potential with a CO product selectivity over 98 %. Stable performance was observed for 6 months of continuous operation (>150 000 000 turnovers). These results demonstrate that imidazolium polymers are ideal membranes for CO 2 electrolysis.
Source: Energy Technology
Institution: Dioxide Materials (United States)
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Award: G2982068155
OpenAlex ID: W2561463699