Testing a Silver Nanowire Catalyst for the Selective CO₂ Reduction in a Gas Diffusion Electrode Half-cell Setup Enabling High Mass Transport Conditions

Gálvez‐Vázquez, María de Jesús; Alinejad, Shima; Hu, Huifang; Hou, Yuhui; Moreno‐García, Pavel; Zana, Alessandro; Wiberg, Gustav K. H.; Broekmann, Peter; Arenz, Matthias

doi:10.2533/chimia.2019.922

Cited by 32 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…We chose a potential window for testing the CO2RR from Commercially more relevant current densities can be obtained in GDE setups, where the reactant gas does not need to be first dissolved in liquid electrolyte. To demonstrate this influence, we performed the same CO2RR studies in our recently introduced zero-gap, half-cell GDE setup 8,36 setup instead of the H-cell setup. The obtained FECO and current densities are shown in Figure 4 and Figure S7.…”

Section: Catalyst Screening Methods Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

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Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Alinejad

Quinson

Wiberg

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Much research effort has been devoted to the development of effective catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). For CO2RR, the most common catalyst screening method is performed in a H-cell configuration where the reactant CO2 gas is usually dissolved in an aqueous bicarbonate-based electrolyte. However, the low solubility of CO2 in aqueous solutions (∼35 mM at 298 K and 1 atm pressure) causes mass transport limitations in such setups.Based on H-cell measurements gold (Au) is one of the most selective catalysts for the CO2RR to CO. The preparation of small Au nanoparticles (NPs) based on conventional synthesis methods often requires the use of surfactants and capping agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).Here, we present a systematic evaluation of the performance of Au NPs for the CO2RR in our recently developed gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setup and compare the results to investigations in a conventional H-cell configuration. The GDE setup can be characterized as a zero gap, half-cell setup and supplies a continuous CO2 stream at the electrode−membrane electrolyte interface to circumvent CO2 mass transport limitations encountered in conventional H-cells. We investigate the influence of the catalyst loading as well as the influence of PVP. The results comparing the two screening methods show that the performance of the same catalyst can be substantially different in the different setups, which highlights the importance of having commercially relevant conditions for catalyst screening. In both setups, it is found that the presence of PVP favours the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however, in the GDE setup PVP is more detrimental for the performance than in conventional H-cells.

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Section: Catalyst Screening Methods Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our recently introduced GDE setup was employed in this study 8,36,37 the RHE conversions. Moreover, the resistance between the WE and RE and the applied electrode potentials was monitored online using an AC signal (5 kHz, 5 mV).…”

Section: Preparation Of the Gde Setupmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Alinejad

Quinson

Wiberg

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Commercially more relevant current densities can be obtained in GDE setups, where the reactant gas does not need to be first dissolved in liquid electrolyte. To demonstrate this influence, we performed the same CO2RR studies in our recently introduced zero-gap, half-cell GDE setup 8,36 setup instead of the H-cell setup. The obtained FECO and current densities are shown in Figure 4 and Figure S9.…”

Section: Catalyst Screening Methods Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…So doing, we can have a fairer comparison between the results of the GDE setup and the H-cell setup. Preparation of the GDE setup Our recently introduced GDE setup was employed in this study8,36,37 . As described above, the WE in the form of a GDE was placed on top of the flow field in the stainless-steel lower cell body and an activated Anion exchange membrane was placed on top of the GDE to separate the liquid electrolyte from the catalyst layer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Alinejad

Quinson

Wiberg

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Much research effort has been devoted to the development of effective catalysts for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). For CO2RR, the most common catalyst screening method is performed in a H-cell configuration where the reactant CO2 gas is usually dissolved in an aqueous bicarbonate-based electrolyte. However, the low solubility of CO2 in aqueous solutions (∼35 mM at 298 K and 1 atm pressure) causes mass transport limitations in such setups. Based on H-cell measurements gold (Au) is one of the most selective catalysts for the CO2RR to CO. The preparation of small Au nanoparticles (NPs) based on conventional synthesis methods often requires the use of surfactants and capping agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Here, we present a systematic evaluation of the performance of Au NPs for the CO2RR in our recently developed gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setup and compare the results to investigations in a conventional H-cell configuration. The GDE setup can be characterized as a zero gap, half-cell setup and supplies a continuous CO2 stream at the electrode−membrane electrolyte interface to circumvent CO2 mass transport limitations encountered in conventional H-cells. We investigate the influence of the catalyst loading as well as the influence of PVP. The results comparing the two screening methods show that the performance of the same catalyst can be substantially different in the different setups, which highlights the importance of having commercially relevant conditions for catalyst screening. In both setups, it is found that the presence of PVP favours the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however, in the GDE setup PVP is more detrimental for the performance than in conventional H-cells.

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“…In fact, recent publications show catalyst tests for fundamental catalyst research being performed in a GDE configuration. [ 18 ] This implies that understanding of catalyst layer morphology will likely become instrumental, even for fundamental catalyst research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tomographic Reconstruction and Analysis of a Silver CO₂ Reduction Cathode

McLaughlin

Bierling

Moroni

et al. 2020

Advanced Energy Materials

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electrochemical CO 2 RR enables direct power-to-X technology, that is the integration of electricity from (intermittent) renewable sources into the formation process of various valuable products. Technoeconomic analyses of CO 2 electrolyzers have identified current density and energy efficiency as the key benchmarks of this technology. [1][2][3][4][5] They further estimate that for adoption of this technology high current densities (hundreds of mA cm − ² or more) are required. The current density of the batch cells, which are ubiquitous in CO 2 RR catalyst research, is intrinsically limited. This points to flow cells with gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) as a more promising solution. Endrődi et al. [6] and Weekes et al. [7] provide reviews of publications on flow cells using GDEs. Both highlight how flow cells and GDEs enable the aforementioned increase in current density and energy efficiency. Further recent publications demonstrate high current densities using GDEs. [8][9][10] The morphology of these electrodes is likely instrumental to their outstanding properties.Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) and polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) serve as models for CO 2 electrolyzers, having achieved current densities in excess of amperes per square centimeter using GDE-based electrodes. [11][12][13][14] We suggest that if we wish to emulate the high current densities found in PEWMEs or PEMFCs, we need to understand the structure of CO 2 RR GDEs to subsequently improve it. Especially, we need to understand how the structure-property relations are similar and different from those found in PEMFCs and PEMWEs. This understanding in turn would enable rational design of catalyst layers (CLs), thus guiding the optimization of the manufacturing processes.To give an example: A point of discussion in some recent publications and perspectives has been the nature of the CO 2 delivery to the catalyst. Following the successful demonstration of GDEs application for CO 2 reduction, Cook et al. proposed a three-phase boundary mechanism according to which CO 2 reacts directly from the gas phase. [15] This model has been called into question. Burdyny and Smith [16] posit that the CL is fully flooded during operation; Weng et al. [17] propose that a thin layer of electrolyte covers the catalyst surface, in analogy to ionomer coverages often found in fuel cell models. This again points to the need for an improved understanding of electrode structure, especially its wetting behavior.Tomographic reconstruction has been well established as a valuable tool in the analysis of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes. While forays have been made into applying it to polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer (PEMWE) electrodes, CO 2 electrolyzer electrodes are still new ground. Here a tomographic analysis of an electrochemical CO 2 reduction gas diffusion electrode by means of focused ion beam scanning electron microscope tomography is presented. The reconstruction shows a porosity of 68%. While most of the porosity is on th...

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Testing a Silver Nanowire Catalyst for the Selective CO₂ Reduction in a Gas Diffusion Electrode Half-cell Setup Enabling High Mass Transport Conditions

Cited by 32 publications

References 4 publications

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Tomographic Reconstruction and Analysis of a Silver CO₂ Reduction Cathode

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Testing a Silver Nanowire Catalyst for the Selective CO₂ Reduction in a Gas Diffusion Electrode Half-cell Setup Enabling High Mass Transport Conditions

Cited by 32 publications

References 4 publications

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Au Electrocatalysts in a Zero-Gap, Half-Cell Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup: a Systematic Performance Evaluation and Comparison to a H-cell Setup

Tomographic Reconstruction and Analysis of a Silver CO2 Reduction Cathode

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Tomographic Reconstruction and Analysis of a Silver CO₂ Reduction Cathode