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Zeng M, Fang W, Cen Y, Zhang X, Hu Y, Xia BY. Reaction Environment Regulation for Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction in Acids. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404574. [PMID: 38638104 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is a sustainable route for converting CO2 into value-added fuels and feedstocks, advancing a carbon-neutral economy. The electrolyte critically influences CO2 utilization, reaction rate and product selectivity. While typically conducted in neutral/alkaline aqueous electrolytes, the CO2RR faces challenges due to (bi)carbonate formation and its crossover to the anolyte, reducing efficiency and stability. Acidic media offer promise by suppressing these processes, but the low Faradaic efficiency, especially for multicarbon (C2+) products, and poor electrocatalyst stability persist. The effective regulation of the reaction environment at the cathode is essential to favor the CO2RR over the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and improve long-term stability. This review examines progress in the acidic CO2RR, focusing on reaction environment regulation strategies such as electrocatalyst design, electrode modification and electrolyte engineering to promote the CO2RR. Insights into the reaction mechanisms via in situ/operando techniques and theoretical calculations are discussed, along with critical challenges and future directions in acidic CO2RR technology, offering guidance for developing practical systems for the carbon-neutral community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zeng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, 368 Youyi Road, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Wensheng Fang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Rd, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yiren Cen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, 368 Youyi Road, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, 368 Youyi Road, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Yongming Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Micro-Nanoelectronic Materials and Devices, School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, 368 Youyi Road, Wuhan, 430062, China
| | - Bao Yu Xia
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (Ministry of Education), Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), 1037 Luoyu Rd, Wuhan, 430074, China
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2
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Gunnarson A, Quast T, Dieckhöfer S, Pfänder N, Schüth F, Schuhmann W. Stability Investigations on a Pt@HGS Catalyst as a Model Material for Fuel Cell Applications: The Role of the Local pH. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202311780. [PMID: 37846806 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202311780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Increasing the resistance of catalysts against electrochemical degradation is one of the key requirements for the wider use of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). Here, we study the degradation of one entity of a highly stable catalyst, Pt@HGS, on a nanoelectrode under accelerated mass transport conditions. We find that the catalyst degrades more rapidly than expected based on previous ensemble measurements. Corroborated by identical location transmission electron microscopy and catalyst layer experiments, we deduce that locally different pH values are likely the reason for this difference in stability. Ultimately, this work provides insights into the actual conditions present in a PEMFC and raises questions about the applicability of accelerated stress tests usually performed to evaluate catalyst stability, particularly when they are performed in half-cell setups under inert gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gunnarson
- Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Thomas Quast
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES); Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefan Dieckhöfer
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES); Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Norbert Pfänder
- Department of Heterogeneous Reactions, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstraße 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Ferdi Schüth
- Department of Heterogeneous Catalysis, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES); Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
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3
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Dieterich E, Herrmann L, Dzhyginas O, Binnenböse L, Steimecke M, Kinkelin SJ, Bron M. Multimethod Approach to the Low-Overpotential Region of Micro- to Macro-Scale Working Electrodes of Sub-10 nm Gold Nanoparticles in the CO 2 Reduction Reaction. Anal Chem 2023; 95:16522-16530. [PMID: 37910605 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) over carbon-supported gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was investigated using a broad variety of (electro)analytical methods, including linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disk electrode (LSV-RDE), sample-generation tip-collection mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SG/TC-SECM), as well as full cell tests with highly sensitive online gas chromatography (GC). In contrast to most other studies, this work focuses on the low-overpotential region (0 to -0.4 V vs RHE) where initial product formation is already detected and addresses micro- to macro-sized electrodes. The sub-10 nm AuNPs supported on three different carbon supports (CNTs and carbon blacks) were pretreated in H2/Ar to remove the stabilizer used during AuNP synthesis. LSV-RDE points toward different CO2RR mechanisms at the samples, additionally confirmed by the SG/TC-SECM and full cell tests with online GC. Besides H2 and CO, the AuNP supported on carbon nanotubes showed significant evolution of H2CO in contrast to the other two samples, which was additionally confirmed by accumulating the product during chronoamperometric RDE experiments followed by mass spectroscopic analysis. Surface analysis indicated a complete removal of residual thiolate stabilizer molecules exclusively at the AuNPs supported on carbon nanotubes, which may result in a change in the adsorption geometry or reaction mechanism at this sample. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the combination of these multiple methods to investigate the CO2RR in the low-overpotential region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Dieterich
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Lukas Herrmann
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Olga Dzhyginas
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Lukas Binnenböse
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias Steimecke
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Simon-Johannes Kinkelin
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Michael Bron
- Institut für Chemie, Technische Chemie I, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
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4
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Iglesias van Montfort HP, Li M, Irtem E, Abdinejad M, Wu Y, Pal SK, Sassenburg M, Ripepi D, Subramanian S, Biemolt J, Rufford TE, Burdyny T. Non-invasive current collectors for improved current-density distribution during CO 2 electrolysis on super-hydrophobic electrodes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6579. [PMID: 37852966 PMCID: PMC10584973 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42348-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical reduction of CO2 presents an attractive way to store renewable energy in chemical bonds in a potentially carbon-neutral way. However, the available electrolyzers suffer from intrinsic problems, like flooding and salt accumulation, that must be overcome to industrialize the technology. To mitigate flooding and salt precipitation issues, researchers have used super-hydrophobic electrodes based on either expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) gas-diffusion layers (GDL's), or carbon-based GDL's with added PTFE. While the PTFE backbone is highly resistant to flooding, the non-conductive nature of PTFE means that without additional current collection the catalyst layer itself is responsible for electron-dispersion, which penalizes system efficiency and stability. In this work, we present operando results that illustrate that the current distribution and electrical potential distribution is far from a uniform distribution in thin catalyst layers (~50 nm) deposited onto ePTFE GDL's. We then compare the effects of thicker catalyst layers (~500 nm) and a newly developed non-invasive current collector (NICC). The NICC can maintain more uniform current distributions with 10-fold thinner catalyst layers while improving stability towards ethylene (≥ 30%) by approximately two-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mengran Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Erdem Irtem
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Maryam Abdinejad
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Yuming Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Santosh K Pal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Mark Sassenburg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Davide Ripepi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Siddhartha Subramanian
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Jasper Biemolt
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas E Rufford
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Burdyny
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Delft University of Technology; 9 van der Maasweg, Delft, 2629HZ, the Netherlands.
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Serafini M, Mariani F, Basile F, Scavetta E, Tonelli D. From Traditional to New Benchmark Catalysts for CO 2 Electroreduction. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13111723. [PMID: 37299627 DOI: 10.3390/nano13111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In the last century, conventional strategies pursued to reduce or convert CO2 have shown limitations and, consequently, have been pushing the development of innovative routes. Among them, great efforts have been made in the field of heterogeneous electrochemical CO2 conversion, which boasts the use of mild operative conditions, compatibility with renewable energy sources, and high versatility from an industrial point of view. Indeed, since the pioneering studies of Hori and co-workers, a wide range of electrocatalysts have been designed. Starting from the performances achieved using traditional bulk metal electrodes, advanced nanostructured and multi-phase materials are currently being studied with the main goal of overcoming the high overpotentials usually required for the obtainment of reduction products in substantial amounts. This review reports the most relevant examples of metal-based, nanostructured electrocatalysts proposed in the literature during the last 40 years. Moreover, the benchmark materials are identified and the most promising strategies towards the selective conversion to high-added-value chemicals with superior productivities are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Serafini
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Mariani
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Basile
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Erika Scavetta
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
| | - Domenica Tonelli
- Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari", Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
- Center for Chemical Catalysis-C3, University of Bologna, Viale del Risorgimento 4, 40136 Bologna, Italy
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6
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Cao Y, Chen Z, Li P, Ozden A, Ou P, Ni W, Abed J, Shirzadi E, Zhang J, Sinton D, Ge J, Sargent EH. Surface hydroxide promotes CO 2 electrolysis to ethylene in acidic conditions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2387. [PMID: 37185342 PMCID: PMC10130127 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37898-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Performing CO2 reduction in acidic conditions enables high single-pass CO2 conversion efficiency. However, a faster kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction compared to CO2 reduction limits the selectivity toward multicarbon products. Prior studies have shown that adsorbed hydroxide on the Cu surface promotes CO2 reduction in neutral and alkaline conditions. We posited that limited adsorbed hydroxide species in acidic CO2 reduction could contribute to a low selectivity to multicarbon products. Here we report an electrodeposited Cu catalyst that suppresses hydrogen formation and promotes selective CO2 reduction in acidic conditions. Using in situ time-resolved Raman spectroscopy, we show that a high concentration of CO and OH on the catalyst surface promotes C-C coupling, a finding that we correlate with evidence of increased CO residence time. The optimized electrodeposited Cu catalyst achieves a 60% faradaic efficiency for ethylene and 90% for multicarbon products. When deployed in a slim flow cell, the catalyst attains a 20% energy efficiency to ethylene, and 30% to multicarbon products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Cao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
- Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Peihao Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Adnan Ozden
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Pengfei Ou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Weiyan Ni
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Jehad Abed
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Erfan Shirzadi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - Jinqiang Zhang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada
| | - David Sinton
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Jun Ge
- Key Lab for Industrial Biocatalysis, Ministry of Education, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
- Institute of Biomedical Health Technology and Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, 518107, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Edward H Sargent
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G4, Canada.
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7
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Santana Santos C, Jaato BN, Sanjuán I, Schuhmann W, Andronescu C. Operando Scanning Electrochemical Probe Microscopy during Electrocatalysis. Chem Rev 2023; 123:4972-5019. [PMID: 36972701 PMCID: PMC10168669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical probe microscopy (SEPM) techniques can disclose the local electrochemical reactivity of interfaces in single-entity and sub-entity studies. Operando SEPM measurements consist of using a SEPM tip to investigate the performance of electrocatalysts, while the reactivity of the interface is simultaneously modulated. This powerful combination can correlate electrochemical activity with changes in surface properties, e.g., topography and structure, as well as provide insight into reaction mechanisms. The focus of this review is to reveal the recent progress in local SEPM measurements of the catalytic activity of a surface toward the reduction and evolution of O2 and H2 and electrochemical conversion of CO2. The capabilities of SEPMs are showcased, and the possibility of coupling other techniques to SEPMs is presented. Emphasis is given to scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Santana Santos
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Bright Nsolebna Jaato
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Ignacio Sanjuán
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Corina Andronescu
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
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8
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Hursán D, Janáky C. Operando characterization of continuous flow CO 2 electrolyzers: current status and future prospects. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:1395-1414. [PMID: 36655495 PMCID: PMC9894021 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06065e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The performance of continuous-flow CO2 electrolyzers has substantially increased in recent years, achieving current density and selectivity (particularly for CO production) meeting the industrial targets. Further improvement is, however, necessary in terms of stability and energy efficiency, as well as in high-value multicarbon product formation. Accelerating this process requires deeper understanding of the complex interplay of chemical-physical processes taking place in CO2 electrolyzer cells. Operando characterization can provide these insights under working conditions, helping to identify the reasons for performance losses. Despite this fact, only relatively few studies have taken advantage of such methods up to now, applying operando techniques to characterize practically relevant CO2 electrolyzers. These studies include X-ray absorption- and Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent microscopy, scanning probe techniques, mass spectrometry, and radiography. Their objective was to characterize the catalyst structure, its microenviroment, membrane properties, etc., and relate them to the device performance (reaction rates and product distribution). Here we review the current state-of-the-art of operando methods, associated challenges, and also their future potential. We aim to motivate researchers to perform operando characterization in continuous-flow CO2 electrolyzers, to understand the reaction mechanism and device operation under practically relevant conditions, thereby advancing the field towards industrialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorottya Hursán
- University of Szeged, Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials ScienceAradi sq. 1Szeged6720Hungary
| | - Csaba Janáky
- University of Szeged, Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials ScienceAradi sq. 1Szeged6720Hungary
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9
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Kato S, Hashimoto T, Iwase K, Harada T, Nakanishi S, Kamiya K. Selective and high-rate CO 2 electroreduction by metal-doped covalent triazine frameworks: a computational and experimental hybrid approach. Chem Sci 2023; 14:613-620. [PMID: 36741519 PMCID: PMC9847663 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc03754h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has attracted intensive attention as a technology to achieve a carbon-neutral society. The use of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) enables the realization of high-rate CO2RRs, which is one of the critical requirements for social implementation. Although both a high reaction rate and good selectivity are simultaneously required for electrocatalysts on GDEs, no systematic study of the relationship among active metal centers in electrocatalysts, reaction rate, and selectivity under high-rate CO2RR conditions has been reported. In the present study, we employed various metal-doped covalent triazine frameworks (M-CTFs) as platforms for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts on GDEs and systematically investigated them to deduce sophisticated design principles using a combined computational and experimental approach. The Ni-CTF showed both high selectivity (faradaic efficiency (FE) > 98% at -0.5 to -0.9 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode) and a high reaction rate (current density < -200 mA cm-2) for CO production. By contrast, the Sn-CTF exhibited selective formic acid production, and the FE and partial current density reached 85% and 150 mA cm-2, respectively. These results for the CO2RR activity and selectivity at high current density with respect to metal centers correspond well with predictions based on first-principles calculations. This work is the first demonstration of a clear relationship between the computational adsorption energy of intermediates depending on metal species and the experimental high-rate gaseous CO2RR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Kato
- Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University1-3 MachikaneyamaToyonakaOsaka 560-8531Japan
| | - Takuya Hashimoto
- Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University1-3 MachikaneyamaToyonakaOsaka 560-8531Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Iwase
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-kuSendaiMiyagi 980-8577Japan
| | - Takashi Harada
- Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University1-3 MachikaneyamaToyonakaOsaka 560-8531Japan
| | - Shuji Nakanishi
- Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University1-3 MachikaneyamaToyonakaOsaka 560-8531Japan,Innovative Catalysis Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka UniversitySuitaOsaka 565-0871Japan
| | - Kazuhide Kamiya
- Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University1-3 MachikaneyamaToyonakaOsaka 560-8531Japan,Innovative Catalysis Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka UniversitySuitaOsaka 565-0871Japan
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10
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He W, Zhang J, Dieckhöfer S, Varhade S, Brix AC, Lielpetere A, Seisel S, Junqueira JRC, Schuhmann W. Splicing the active phases of copper/cobalt-based catalysts achieves high-rate tandem electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1129. [PMID: 35236840 PMCID: PMC8891333 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28728-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalytic recycling of waste nitrate (NO3−) to valuable ammonia (NH3) at ambient conditions is a green and appealing alternative to the Haber−Bosch process. However, the reaction requires multi-step electron and proton transfer, making it a grand challenge to drive high-rate NH3 synthesis in an energy-efficient way. Herein, we present a design concept of tandem catalysts, which involves coupling intermediate phases of different transition metals, existing at low applied overpotentials, as cooperative active sites that enable cascade NO3−-to-NH3 conversion, in turn avoiding the generally encountered scaling relations. We implement the concept by electrochemical transformation of Cu−Co binary sulfides into potential-dependent core−shell Cu/CuOx and Co/CoO phases. Electrochemical evaluation, kinetic studies, and in−situ Raman spectra reveal that the inner Cu/CuOx phases preferentially catalyze NO3− reduction to NO2−, which is rapidly reduced to NH3 at the nearby Co/CoO shell. This unique tandem catalyst system leads to a NO3−-to-NH3 Faradaic efficiency of 93.3 ± 2.1% in a wide range of NO3− concentrations at pH 13, a high NH3 yield rate of 1.17 mmol cm−2 h−1 in 0.1 M NO3− at −0.175 V vs. RHE, and a half-cell energy efficiency of ~36%, surpassing most previous reports. Electrocatalytic recycling of waste nitrate to NH3 under ambient conditions maybe an appealing alternative to the Haber−Bosch process. Here the authors report a tandem catalyst system involving cooperative adsorption of reaction intermediate on different transition metal active sites for nitrate electroreduction with high efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui He
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jian Zhang
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefan Dieckhöfer
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Swapnil Varhade
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ann Cathrin Brix
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anna Lielpetere
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabine Seisel
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - João R C Junqueira
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry-Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44780, Bochum, Germany.
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