Abstract
Electrodeposition is a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method for synthesising catalysts for electrochemical carbon reduction (CO2R). Moreover, it enables modifying the morphology, alloying with other elements, and controlling the oxidation state of metal species which cause a significant influence on the catalytic activity and selectivity for CO2R products1. Copper is the only transition metal that converts CO2 to products that require more than two electron transfers, for example, ethylene (C2H4)2 and ethanol (C2H5OH)3. Thus, multiple investigations have focused on tuning and improving the selectivity and activity of CO2R to multicarbon products by changing the composition and morphology of Cu-based catalysts2-6.
This work presents an optimised electrodeposition method to produce uniform and reproducible Cu-based catalysts for CO2R. Overall, the process consists of creating a specific electrolyte, depending on the catalyst material, then preparing sections of Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) and immersing them in nitric acid (HNO3) for one hour to activate the surface. Subsequently, the GDL was assembled on an electrodeposition jig and adjusted the operational parameters to start the deposition. The electrodeposition is influenced by different operating parameters and process settings, including current density, electrolyte, pH, solution temperature, and additives. So, the optimised process was achieved by tuning the electrolyte and electrochemical parameters to enhance thin-film uniformity and reproducibility. The current density was found to be a crucial parameter throughout the optimisation, and it was adjusted to i ≥ 8 mA cm-2 after a nucleation issue was identified on cyclic voltammetry.
1. P. De Luna et al., Science, 364.6438(2019) eaav3506
2. X. Chen et al., Nature Catalysis, 4(2021) 20-27
3. L. Ting, et al., ACS Catalysis, 10(2020) 4059-4069
4. D. Ren et al., ACS Catalysis, 6(2016) 8239-8247
5. C.T. Dinh, et al., Science, 360(6390) 783-787.
This work presents an optimised electrodeposition method to produce uniform and reproducible Cu-based catalysts for CO2R. Overall, the process consists of creating a specific electrolyte, depending on the catalyst material, then preparing sections of Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs) and immersing them in nitric acid (HNO3) for one hour to activate the surface. Subsequently, the GDL was assembled on an electrodeposition jig and adjusted the operational parameters to start the deposition. The electrodeposition is influenced by different operating parameters and process settings, including current density, electrolyte, pH, solution temperature, and additives. So, the optimised process was achieved by tuning the electrolyte and electrochemical parameters to enhance thin-film uniformity and reproducibility. The current density was found to be a crucial parameter throughout the optimisation, and it was adjusted to i ≥ 8 mA cm-2 after a nucleation issue was identified on cyclic voltammetry.
1. P. De Luna et al., Science, 364.6438(2019) eaav3506
2. X. Chen et al., Nature Catalysis, 4(2021) 20-27
3. L. Ting, et al., ACS Catalysis, 10(2020) 4059-4069
4. D. Ren et al., ACS Catalysis, 6(2016) 8239-8247
5. C.T. Dinh, et al., Science, 360(6390) 783-787.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Unpublished - 2022 |
| Event | SCI Electrochemistry Postgraduate Conference 2022 - Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom Duration: 25 May 2022 → … https://www.soci.org/events/electrochemical-technology-group/2022/sci-electrochemistry-postgraduate-conference-2022 |
Conference
| Conference | SCI Electrochemistry Postgraduate Conference 2022 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | SCI-EPC |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Loughborough |
| Period | 25/05/22 → … |
| Internet address |