Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide on indium coated gas diffusion electrodes—Comparison with indium foil

Abstract

International audienceThe electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to formic acid on metallic electrodes is known to suffer from low current density and rapid surface contamination by electrolyte impurities. Gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) can overcome these problems due to their high specific surface area. In this work, we show a simple method to prepare indium coated gas diffusion electrodes (GDE-In/C) and their physical and electrochemical characterization. Indium is chosen for its ability to reduce CO 2 to formic acid at relatively low overpotential compared to other metals. The catalytic performance of the GDE-In/C is compared to an indium foil using identical operating conditions. During electrolysis in homogeneous aqueous media (dissolved CO 2) at-1.65 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the partial current density toward HCOOH on the GDE-In/C is 7 times higher than on the indium foil with a faradaic efficiency of 45%. The production of formic acid increases by 15% when a continuous flux of CO 2 gas is applied through the GDE-In/C. In addition, the GDE-In/C shows a good resistance to electrolyte impurities and allows to achieve higher current densities. These promising results are a key milestone in the development of a zero gap cell for gas phase CO 2 electroreductio

Highly Selective Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to HCOOH on Dendritic Indium Foams

“…As noted in previous studies, the catalytic activity and selectivity of the In electrode depend largely on the surface properties such as crystal orientation and morphology. Tuning the surface properties could improve the ERC Faradaic efficiencies from 25 % to 94.7 % ,,…”

Highly Selective and Active Pd‐In/three‐dimensional Graphene with Special Structure for Electroreduction CO2 to Formate

“…To overcome the problem, various carbon support materials such as two‐dimensional (2D) graphene , carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and porous carbon were widespread employed to load metal or metal oxide nanoparticles during electroreduction CO 2 for their large surface area, high electrical conductivity, low cost and excellent stability . Research chose graphene as supporting material for loading the Cu 2 O during electrochemical reduction of CO 2 in aqueous solution .…”

“…Though bimetallic Pd‐based nanoparticles such as Pd−Au , Pd−Cu show pretty catalytic activity, the problem of selectivity and CO poisoning is still presence. Among various metals researched, Indium has been chosen for its excellent catalytic performance and ability of electrochemical CO 2 conversion to formate at comparatively low overpotential . As mentioned before, The In materials formed In−CO 3 − species in the surface with converting CO 2 to formate at a potential of −1.4 V (vs. SCE) .…”

Electrochemically Fabricated Pd–In Catalysts for Carbon Dioxide‐Formate/Formic Acid Inter‐Conversion

“…A representative catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate is indium, which displays high selectivity toward formate rather than hydrogen . In addition, In is a non‐toxic and environmentally friendly material.…”

“…Bitar et al . performed the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate using an In catalyst fabricated by an ultrasonic spraying method on a gas diffusion electrode . At −1.65 V Ag/AgCl in a 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 electrolyte, the current efficiency for formic acid production was recorded as approximately 45%, higher than that with the commercial In foil catalyst.…”