Manipulating the hydrocarbon selectivity of copper nanoparticles in CO2 electroreduction by process conditions
| Abstract | The formation of ethylene in CO2 electroreduction over rough copperelectrodes is often explained by the presence of specific surfacecrystal steps, edges and defects. We demonstrate that an identicalelectrode covered with copper nanoparticles can yield eitherpredominantly ethylene or methane, depending on the electrolyteconcentration and applied CO2 pressure. Calculations of the pH near theelectrode surface suggest that ethylene formation is favored by arelatively high (local) pH. Furthermore, the conditions leading to theformation of significant amounts of methane result in rapiddeterioration of hydrocarbon production rates, whereas electrodeperformance in conditions favoring ethylene production can be sustainedfor hours. This study substantially alters the mechanisticinterpretation of formation of ethylene over rough copper surfaces andimplies that applied process conditions inducing pH variations near theelectrode surface need to be taken into consideration. |
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| Authors | R. Kortlever, M. T. M. Koper, R. Kas, H. Y?lmaz, G. Mul |
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Date published | 12/2014 |
| Journal | ChemElectroChem |
| Volume | 2 |
| Pages | 354-358 |
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