The Electrode/Electrolyte Interface Study during the Electrochemical CO <sub>2</sub> Reduction in Acidic Electrolytes
Electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> Reduction (CO2R) in acidic electrolytes has gained significant attention owing to higher carbon efficiency and stability than in alkaline counterparts. However, the proton source and the role of alkali cations for CO2R are still under debate. By using rotating ring disk electrode and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy, we find that a neutral/alkaline environment at the interface is necessary for CO2R even in acidic electrolytes. We also confirm that water molecules, rather than protons serve as the proton source for CO2R. Alkali cations in the outer Helmholtz plane activate H<sub>2</sub>O and promote the desorption of adsorbed carbon monoxide. Additionally, the solvated CO<sub>2</sub>, or CO<sub>2</sub>(aq), is the actual reactant for CO2R. This study provides a deeper understanding of the electrode/electrolyte interface during CO2R in acidic electrolytes and sheds light on further performance improvement of this system.
Authors
- Minhua Shao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4496-0057)
- Ernest Pahuyo Delmo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5913-7624)
- Yao Yao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7519-3738)
Institutions
- Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK)
- Guangzhou HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute (CN)
- Great Bay University
Publication Details
- Journal
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Published
- 2024-09-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202415894
- Citations
- 19
- Primary Topic
- CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.95
Funders
- Innovation and Technology Commission
- Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau
- Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province