A Non-Noble Metal Catalyst-Based Electrolyzer for Efficient CO₂-to-Formate Conversion
2021
Zou, Jinshuo | Lee, Chong-Yong | Wallace, Gordon G.
Electrochemical CO₂ reduction offers a promising approach to alleviate environmental and climate impacts attributed to increasing atmospheric CO₂. Intensive research work has been performed over the years on catalysts, membranes, and other associated components related to the development of CO₂ electrolyzers. Herein, we assembled a full cell comprising a Bi nanoparticle (NP)-based cathode for reducing CO₂ to formate and the earth-abundant NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based anode for oxygen evolution. The electrolyte used was 1 M KOH, and an anion exchange membrane separator was employed. A formate conversion Faradaic efficiency (FEfₒᵣₘₐₜₑ) of 90 ± 2% was obtained at the cell voltage of 2.12 V. This full cell system operating at 2.12 V was found to perform well over 10 h, as the FEfₒᵣₘₐₜₑ remained above 85% with ∼82% retention of current. This is among the best performing CO₂-to-formate conversion systems based on all non-precious metal catalysts. The low water oxidation overpotential of NiFe LDH, coupled with the highly efficient Bi NPs CO₂ reduction catalyst, and the use of KOH electrolyte operated under flow cell configuration that maximizes the reactant/product mass transfer all contribute to this high-performance electrolyzer.
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