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A Robust, Scalable Platform for the Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to Formate: Identifying Pathways to Higher Energy Efficiencies
journal contribution
posted on 2020-05-15, 15:59 authored by Yingying Chen, Ashlee Vise, W. Ellis Klein, Firat C. Cetinbas, Deborah J. Myers, Wilson A. Smith, Todd G. Deutsch, K. C. NeyerlinThis
work demonstrated a robust, scalable cell architecture for
electroreduction of CO2 (CO2R). An up to 90%
faradaic efficiency for the conversion of CO2R to formate
at 500 mA/cm2 was realized at a 25 cm2 gas diffusion
electrode (GDE) with a carbon-supported SnO2 electrocatalyst.
A 1.27 mm thick catholyte was used between the bipolar membrane and
cathode GDE, which could be further reduced to tens of micrometers
upon refinement. The deconvolution of the potential drop from each
individual component/process guides the pathways to higher energy
efficiencies of CO2R at this platform. Significant changes
in the agglomerate size and aspect ratio on the electrode before and
after an 11 h test were revealed by nano-CT, suggesting reduced CO2 accessibility from electrode degradation. The versatility
of this CO2R testing platform enables the ability to assess
materials, components, and interactions at scales more in line with
future devices.