Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 offers a route to store renewable but intermittent energy like sunlight in the form of chemical bonds. Efficient catalysis necessitates minimal overpotential for these reactions which can be achieved using a reversible catalyst. Specifically, metal hydrides can undergo hydride transfer to CO2 to produce formate; this reaction is exergonic for metal hydrides with a hydricity below 24.1 kcal/mol in water. We have targeted a metal hydride for which CO2 reduction to formate is near ergoneutral. Our efforts to close the catalytic cycle for reversible catalysis will be described. This work advances towards the goal of efficient catalysis in aqueous media and opens the door to new applications of CO2 reduction.

Development of an aqueous electrocatalyst for reversible CO2 reduction to formate

2019 Fall National Meeting

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