H2-CO2 polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates power while evolving CH4 at the Pt0.8Ru0.2/C cathode

Abstract

Generating electric power using CO2 as a reactant is challenging because the electroreduction of CO2 usually requires a large overpotential. Herein, we report the design and development of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell driven by feeding H2 and CO2 to the anode (Pt/C) and cathode (Pt0.8Ru0.2/C), respectively, based on their theoretical electrode potentials. Pt–Ru/C is a promising electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction at a low overpotential; consequently, CH4 is continuously produced through CO2 reduction with an enhanced faradaic efficiency (18.2%) and without an overpotential (at 0.20 V vs. RHE) was achieved when dilute CO2 is fed at a cell temperature of 40 °C. Significantly, the cell generated electric power (0.14 mW cm−2) while simultaneously yielding CH4 at 86.3 μmol g−1 h−1. These results show that a H2-CO2 fuel cell is a promising technology for promoting the carbon capture and utilization (CCU) strategy.

Electroreduction of CO 2 to CH 4 without overpotential using Pt‐black catalysts: Enhancement of faradaic efficiency

“…Although the efficiency at 100 vol.% CO 2 was low, a clear improvement in CH 4 production efficiency was observed particularly when supplying 4‐7 vol.% CO 2 . This observation is similar to that made for CO 2 reduction (CH 4 generation) over Pt/C and Pt 0.8 Ru 0.2 /C electrocatalysts 16,21,22 …”

“…This observation is similar to that made for CO 2 reduction (CH 4 generation) over Pt/C and Pt 0.8 Ru 0.2 /C electrocatalysts. 16,21,22 Concerning the reaction mechanism of CH 4 generation at Pt electrocatalyst, it has been experimentally evidenced that CH 4 production reaction proceeds by a Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism associated with CO ads and H ads , as represented in the following equation 16,21 :…”

Experimental and Theoretical Advances on Single Atom and Atomic Cluster‐Decorated Low‐Dimensional Platforms towards Superior Electrocatalysts

“…H 2 /CO 2 fuel cells have recently sparked a tremendous interest among the scientific community due to their unique capabilities to utilize CO 2 as a unique resource to obtain electricity while producing valuable fuels. [ 204 ] In a typical H 2 /CO 2 fuel cell, H 2 and CO 2 are consumed via HOR and CO 2 RR reactions into the anode and cathode, respectively. Nevertheless, as a technology that is just in its initial stages, the electrocatalytic rates of the CO 2 reduction are decisively controlled by cathode catalysts.…”

Energy conversion efficiency comparison of different aqueous and semi-aqueous CO2 electroreduction systems

“…To calculate the energy conversion efficiency for CO 2 electroreduction, we examined the literature using the CAS SciFinder software and calculated the efficiencies in 107 typical aqueous and semi-aqueous systems. 13–73 We selected the literature reports with a relatively high frequency of citations over the last 30 years. The pH of each CO 2 -saturated solution required for the calculation in this work was measured using an F-53 pH meter (HORIBA, Ltd).…”