Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO and CH4 by Co-N-C Catalyst and Ni co-catalyst with PEM Reactor

Utilization of renewable energy has been proposed for solution of the Global Warming. Electroreduction of CO2 into valuable chemicals using renewable electricity is a promising technology. Electroreduction of CO2 to CO and CH4 was studied using the polymer-electrolyte-membrane (REM) gas cell. The electrocatalyst prepared by partial pyrolysis of Co-4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine supported on KEJENBLACK at 673 K (Co-dmbpy/KB(673K)) has been found for selective reduction of CO2 to CO. Screening of co-catalysts to promote formation of CH4 during the CO2 reduction by the Co-dmbpy/KB(673K) cathode was conducted in this work. An effective Ni/KB co-catalyst prepared by H-2 reduction at 673 K was found. Suitable preparation conditions and methods of the cathode and effects of cathode potentials on the CO2 reduction to CO and CH4 were studied. The reaction path for the formation of CH4 in the CO2 reduction was studied and the successive reduction of CO2 to CO on the Co-dmbpy/KB(673K) catalyst and CO to CH4 on the Ni/KB(673K) co-catalyst was determined.