CO2 electroreduction on P4VP modified copper deposited gas diffusion layer electrode: pH effect

Abstract

Copper-based electrodes have high potential to convert CO 2 to valuable chemicals with satisfactory faradaic efficiency and selectivity. To improve these criteria, we have utilized the idea of copper deposited gas diffusion electrode and pH sensitive polymer membrane, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP). At pH 3.87, in contrast to pH 6.7, both faradaic efficiency and formic acid concentration increased after P4VP loading. Distinct behavior of P4VP at pH 3.87 indicates that P4VP could actively participate in formic acid production route by decoupled proton-electron transfer.

Enhanced Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate on Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Modified Copper and Gold Electrodes

“…This indicates that the P4VP layer fully covers the electrode surfaces, yielding a significant reduction in surface roughness. Additionally, dark spots can be observed in Figure S1b, d, representing small holes in P4VP film, which confirms previous reports of a P4VP layer adopting a mesoporous structure …”

“…Additionally, dark spots can be observed in Figure S1b, d, representing small holes in P4VP film, which confirms previous reports of a P4VP layer adopting a mesoporous structure. 39 Figure 2 depicts the effects on CO 2 RR performance after chemical modifications of a polycrystalline Cu surface with a P4VP layer. The partial current densities of the dominant products (H 2 , CO, and HCOOH) are shown in Figure 2a, with the dashed and solid lines representing unmodified and P4VPmodified Cu electrodes, respectively.…”

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

“…Current efficiency vs applied current. Reported current density in mA/cm 2 (see refs , , − , , − , , − , , − , , − , , − , and − ).…”

Photoelectrochemical Reduction of CO2 at Poly(4‐Vinylpyridine)‐Stabilized Copper(I) Oxide Semiconductor: Feasibility of Interfacial Decoration with Palladium Cocatalyst

“…When P4VP has been used as a gas separation membrane in the copper‐based gas diffusion electrode, the CO 2 reduction faradaic efficiency has increased due the pH sensitivity of the polymer, thus affecting the selectivity of the investigated copper catalyst. [ 50 ] In addition to the interfacial CO 2 sorption (preconcentration) properties of P4VP, there have been postulated interactions between the electron‐donating pyridine sites and the oxygen atoms of CO 2 . The P4VP polymer has also been demonstrated to act as a good matrix for immobilization of noble metal catalytic nanoparticles, e.g., of Pd [ 51 ] or Pt.…”