Cheng, H., Liu, Y., Wu, J., Zhang, Z., Li, X., Wang, X., & Fan, H. J. (2021). Concurrent H2 Generation and Formate Production Assisted by CO2 Absorption in One Electrolyzer. Small Methods, 5(11), 2100871. doi:10.1002/smtd.202100871
Abstract:
Electrolyzers coupling electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution with oxidation reactions of small organic molecules has the merits of reduced cell voltage and generation of high-value products. Herein, we design and optimize an electrolyzer that can simultaneously achieve efficient hydrogen generation at the cathode, CO2 absorption by the catholyte, and methanol upgrading to formate at the anode. For these purposes, transition metal phosphides are used as the low-cost catalysts. The unique electrolyzer exhibits a low working voltage of 1.1 V at 10 mA cm-2. Under optimal condition, the Faraday efficiencies of hydrogen evolution and formic acid conversion reactions, which are the reaction products at the cathode and anode, respectively, are nearly 100% at various current densities from 10 to 400 mA cm-2. Meanwhile, the CO2 absorption rate is about twice of the hydrogen generation rate, which is close to the theoretical value. Our work presents an innovative and energy-efficient strategy to realize simultaneous hydrogen production and CO2 capture based on low-cost catalyst materials.
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Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Ministry of Education - Tier 1 Grant
Grant Reference no. : RG157/19
This research / project is supported by the Ministry of Education - Tier 1 Grant
Grant Reference no. : RG85/20
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) - AME Individual Research Grants
Grant Reference no. : A1983c0026
Description:
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Cheng, H., Liu, Y., Wu, J., Zhang, Z., Li, X., Wang, X., & Fan, H. J. (2021). Concurrent H2 Generation and Formate Production Assisted by CO2 Absorption in One Electrolyzer. Small Methods, 5(11), 2100871. doi:10.1002/smtd.202100871, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202100871. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions