Carbon dioxide reduction provides a low-energy route to petroleum recycling and turns a current waste stream of the petroleum industry into a useful carbon feedstock. Theoretically, high surface area porous coordination networks (PCNs) can be exploited to produce a higher catalytic rate per geometric area than those realized by other approaches including homogeneous molecular catalysts, zeolites, and solid state planar or nanostructure electrodes. Herein, homogeneous molecular constructs will be explored to ascertain if incorporation into PCNs is feasible and if such constructs can be employed to produce higher efficiency CO<sub>2</sub> reduction catalysts. ​Additionally, PCNs with open coordination sites at the nodes will be discussed. Preliminary data suggests that PCNs can in fact reduce carbon dioxide at moderate potentials (~-1V vs. Ag/AgCl) to a distribution of products. The efficiency of this reactivity (turn-over frequency and overpotential) will be presented. Additionally, the role of diffusion within the pores (or lack thereof) will be explored with an emphasis on future catalyst design.

Toward electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction by porous coordination networks

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.