Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Condensed Molecules

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Global warming is due in part to the increasing amounts of carbon dioxide(CO2) being introduced into the atmosphere from the burning of both solid and liquid fuels. New economically viable technologies which utilize CO2 as a chemical feedstock for the synthesis of useful products are needed. This CO2 would be readily available, for example from the exhausts of fossil fuel burning power plants. This Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project is directed towards the identification of optimum conditions for achieving both high Faradaic efficiencies and current densities for the direct electrochemical reduction of CO2 to alcohols. Specifically, work will be performed using perovskite based electrocatalysts incorporated within gas diffusion electrodes where they will provide sites for CO2 intermediates leading to alcohol synthesis. Research objectives will include: (1) the systematic selection of perovskite electrocatalysts based upon their surface oxide bond strengths and corresponding activity for promoting alcohol synthesis, (2) the performance of an in- depth electrochemical study for perovskite electrocatalyst optimization, (3) optimization of component fabrication procedures and electrochemical conditions for operating perovskite containing gas diffusion electrodes under high CO2 pressure, and (4) fabrication of prototype electrolytic cells incorporating optimum gas diffusion electrode designs and perform extended electrolyses for promoting CO2 reduction to alcohols.