The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO generates an energy rich commodity chemical that can be coupled to liquid fuel production. The dearth of affordable platforms that can efficiently promote this transformation with high selectivity and reasonable kinetics spurs our efforts to develop catalyst systems that promote CO evolution. To this end, we have developed and characterized inexpensive cathode materials comprised of post-transition metals for CO2 reduction. These platforms can be prepared using a combination of electrodeposition techniques and when used in conjunction with weakly acidic ionic liquids (ILs), promote the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO with high current densities at low overpotentials. In addition to showing that ILs can promote rapid CO evolution, we have also worked to elucidate the molecular design principles that are attendant to the energy efficient activation of CO2 activation. Interrogation of the pathway by which our catalyst systems activate CO2 using a suite of electrochemical and surface analysis techniques, has revealed the primary factors that drive fuel generation at the electrode/IL interface. Implications for the future development of efficient architectures that can promote CO2 reduction with high selectivity and efficiency will be discussed.

Electrocatalytic conversion carbon dioxide to fuels promoted by 1,3-dialkylimidazolium based ionic liquids

249th National Meeting (2015)

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