Bifunctional CuO-Ag/KB Catalyst for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 in an Alkaline Solid-State Electrolysis Cell.

The conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added products is progressively gaining momentum. Several strategies have been used to develop technologies that reduce the net emissions of CO₂. The utilisation of CO₂ could either contribute to carbon recycling. In this paper, the transformation of CO₂ was investigated in a coelectrolysis cell constituted of a solid polymer electrolyte, a carbon-supported CuO-Ag composite cathode and NiFeOx anode. Noncritical raw materials were synthesised according to the oxalate method and investigated in an alkaline environment. Low-carbon alcohols were obtained with a specific selectivity for ethanol and methanol over the CuO-Ag/KB cathode. The reaction rates at 1.6 V and 1.8 V cell voltages have been determined in steady-state experiments using NaHCO₃ supporting electrolyte recirculated at the anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]