Advancing the Anode Compartment for Energy Efficient CO2 Reduction at Neutral pH

Peugeot, Adele; Creissen, Charles E.; Schreiber, Moritz W.; Fontecave, Marc

Abstract

Energy efficient CO2 reduction in neutral pH requires the development of electrochemical devices operating with minimal energy input. To reach this objective, we propose an original approach focused on the anode compartment where the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) takes place. Different anode catalysts, anolytes and membranes were tested, and the components resulting in the most energy efficient and stable CO2 reduction reaction device were selected. A stainless-steel-based anode with significant OER activity and stability in a wide pH range was used to compare symmetric (neutral catholyte and anolyte) and asymmetric (neutral catholyte and alkaline anolyte) configurations. The gain in energy efficiency for carbon products of 6–8 % in the asymmetric configuration highlighted the advantages of a pH gradient. Although a Nafion membrane gave the highest energy efficiencies, the pH was unstable. Therefore, bipolar membranes that can maintain a pH gradient emerge as the best option for long-term electrolysis. This work paves the way for the development of highly energy efficient CO2-reduction devices with cathodes operating in low pH conditions.

Citation

Peugeot, A., Creissen, C. E., Schreiber, M. W., & Fontecave, M. (2021). Advancing the Anode Compartment for Energy Efficient CO2 Reduction at Neutral pH. ChemElectroChem, 8(14), 2726-2736. https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202100742

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 28, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 28, 2021
• Publication Date: Jul 14, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 5, 2023
• Journal: CHEMELECTROCHEM
• Print ISSN: 2196-0216
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 14
• Pages: 2726-2736
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202100742