ELECTROCHEMICAL AND PHOTOELECTROCHEMICAL CO2 REDUCTION INTO C1 AND C2 OXYGENATED PRODUCTS USING CU2O-BASED MATERIALS
The importance of photoelectrochemical CO2 reduction lies in its capacity to address critical environmental challenges. By using semiconductors such as Cu2O under visible light, CO2 can be transformed into value-added fuels. In this study, different morphologies of Cu2O–namely nanowires, nanopyramids, and cubic or octahedral microcrystals– were designed and developed via methods including chemical processes, thermal oxidation on copper sheets, and electrodeposition on conductive surfaces. In order to improve the electrochemical stability, photostability, and catalytic activity of photocathodes, multiple strategies were employed: multijunction nanostructure and modification of copper oxides with noble metals and polymers. Key results:
1) The introduction of noble metals tended to promote acetate production during photoelectrochemical reduction at the mild potential (–0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl).
2) The Cu2O-polyaniline composite led to formate production at –0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl, during electrochemical reduction experiments in H-type cells, whereas C2 products were also detected by using Cu2O@polyaniline. In addition, the electrochemical stability of Cu2O@polyaniline was greater than that of Cu2O-polyaniline at comparable potentials.
This study evaluated various parameters that influence catalytic performance during the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in flow cells. These results are promising with regard to the application of Cu2O nanomaterials in upscaled CO2 electrolyzers.
Download:
