We describe the the use of macroscopic magnetic fields to modify mass transport (macroscopically and microscopically) in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. We propose to take advantage of magnetic fields to control the reactivity of a societally relevant chemical process—carbon fixation—by modifying mass transport during this process. Specifically, this work hopes to demonstrate both: i) the utility of magnetic fields in controlling the selectivity/reactivity of electrocatalytic carbon fixation processes and ii) the specific mechanism by which the magnetic field affects the electrocatalysis. We demonstrate that the magnetic field effects in this system primarily operate through the Lorentz force--enhancing both the limiting current and faradaic efficiencies for reduced carbon species. Our current experiments focus primarily on using a combination of a Cu cathode and Pt anode in the electrocatalytic experiments, but we have shown that our results are generalizable to other electrodes and cell configurations.

Modifying mass transport durinng electrocatalytic CO2 reduction with magnetic fields

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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