Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction on Gas Diffusion Electrodes: Enhanced Selectivity of In–Bi Bimetallic Particles and Catalyst Layer Optimization through a Design of Experiment Approach

ACS Applied Energy Materials, vol. 5, pp. 1720–1730

Abstract

CO 2 electroreduction to formate powered by renewable energy is an attractive strategy to recycle carbon. Electrode materials showing high selectivity for formate at high current densities are post-transition metals such as Sn, In, Pb, Hg, and Bi. Scaling up the CO 2 electroreduction technology to industrial size will require, among other things, maximization of selectivity at high current densities. We show here that InBi electrocatalysts provide enhanced selectivity compared to pure In and Bi and that a proper formulation of the catalyst layer can have a profound impact on the performance of gas diffusion electrode electrolyzers. The best performing electrodes screened in this study show nearly 100% current efficiency at current densities up to 400 mA cm –2 for 2 h. Additionally, one electrode was shown to operate at a current density of 200 mA cm –2 for 48 h at a current efficiency of 85% and remained operating with a current efficiency above 50% for 124 h.

Authors 6

1. Davide Pavesi Aachen

   Leiden University · Avantium (Netherlands)

   Affiliation as printed

   Avantium Chemicals BV, Zekeringstraat 29 1014 BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

   Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Tim Wissink

   Eindhoven University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Inorganic Materials and Catalysis, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

3. Marta Costa Figueiredo

   Eindhoven University of Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Inorganic Materials and Catalysis, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

4. Gert‐Jan M. Gruter

   Avantium (Netherlands) · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Avantium Chemicals BV, Zekeringstraat 29 1014 BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

   Van’t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands

   Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94157, 1090 GD Amsterdam, The Netherlands

5. Marc T. M. Koper Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9502, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Klaas Jan P. Schouten corresponding

   Avantium (Netherlands)

   Affiliation as printed

   Avantium Chemicals BV, Zekeringstraat 29 1014 BV Amsterdam, The Netherlands