The electrochemical reduction of oxygen (O2) to peroxide (O22-) has gained increasing attention as a renewable carbon-neutral energy carrier for use in single-compartment high-energy density liquid fuel cells. Synthetic homogeneous copper catalysts can promote either the 2e- or 4e- reduction of O2, where the reaction outcomes are sensitive to the catalyst structure. Recently, addition of Lewis-acids to Cu-based catalysts have resulted in dramatic rate enhancements and high levels of peroxide-selectivity in the chemical reduction of O2. Despite the recent studies focused on the impact of added Lewis-acids on homogeneous chemical O2 reduction, corresponding electrochemical and electrocatalytic O2 reduction studies are limited. In this poster, we will share recent progress on the electrocatalytic O2 reduction mediated by homogeneous copper catalysts and the impact of Lewis-acids on the process. These conclusions are supported through cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry, and bulk electrolysis experiments and provide a valuable comparison between chemical and electrochemical O2 reduction.

Lewis-acid promoted homogeneous electrocatalytic oxygen reduction mediated by molecular Cu-complexes

256th National Meeting (2018)

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