Electrochemical reduction of CO2 at Cu nanocluster / (1010) ZnO electrodes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2013

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 in aqueous bicarbonate electrolytes is studied using Cu nanoclusters on single crystal 1010 ZnO electrodes. Cu is known to generate methane as a primary product in electrochemical reduction reactions while the combination of Cu and ZnO produces methanol in gas-phase synthesis reactions. In reduction experiments at -1.4 V versus Ag/AgCl, gas phase products include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and ethylene and liquid phase products include methanol, ethanol, formate, methyl formate and trace levels of propanol. faradaic efficiencies of Cu/ZnO electrodes are similar relative to Cu electrodes with the exception of alcohols where selectivity is improved by an order or magnitude. In-situ FTIR analysis shows several liquid-phase products along with methoxy and formate adsorbates. The nature of the improved alcohol selectivity and intermediates are considered relative to proposed mechanisms and results from this work. © 2013 The Electrochemical Society.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of the Electrochemical Society

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