Simulation‐based guidance for improving CO2${\rm CO}_{2}$ reduction on silver gas diffusion electrodes

Electrochemical Science Advances, vol. 3

Abstract

Abstract The reduction of in an electrochemical reactor using electrical energy is a promising approach to implement a more sustainable carbon economy and to replace fossil fuels with renewable carbon sources. Conventionally used solid plate electrodes are limited by poor mass transport of the reactants. Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) can overcome this limitation and have gained industrial relevance during the last decades. A comprehensive understanding of transport and conversion phenomena within such porous electrodes is not yet well developed. Here, we report a one‐dimensional steady state model of the GDE to investigate the influence of relevant operational parameters and GDE properties on reduction. The results indicate the importance of controlling the local reaction environment, that is, the reactant concentration and the pH value, by tuning the electrolyte and gas composition, and flow rate as well as the catalyst layer properties.

Authors 4

1. Matthias Heßelmann Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Chemical Process Engineering Forckenbeckstr. 51 Aachen 52074 Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstr. 51, Aachen, 52074 Germany

2. Berinike Bräsel Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Chemical Process Engineering Forckenbeckstr. 51 Aachen 52074 Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstr. 51, Aachen, 52074 Germany

3. Robert Keller Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University Chemical Process Engineering Forckenbeckstr. 51 Aachen 52074 Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstr. 51, Aachen, 52074 Germany

4. Matthias Weßling corresponding Aachen DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials Forckenbeckstr. 50 Aachen 52074 Germany

   RWTH Aachen University Chemical Process Engineering Forckenbeckstr. 51 Aachen 52074 Germany

   DWI Leibniz-Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstr. 50, Aachen, 52074 Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Chemical Process Engineering, Forckenbeckstr. 51, Aachen, 52074 Germany