Effect of cationic and anionic solid polymer electrolyte on direct electrochemical reduction of gaseous CO2 to fuel

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in the gaseous phase was investigated using cationic and anionic solid polymer electrolytes. Influence of solid polymer electrolyte medium on electrochemical reduction of gaseous CO2 into fuel is studied. The electrodeposited Cu2O on porous carbon paper was used as cathode whereas Pt/C on the carbon paper was used as anode. The products formed after the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide were analyzed by gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Experiments were carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Mainly methane, ethylene, and methanol were formed as products apart from the undesired hydrogen gas as a by-product. It has been found that anionic solid electrolyte was more favorable than cationic solid electrolyte. Faradaic efficiency for the conversion of CO2 into products was more than 45% using anionic solid polymer membrane at 2.5 V and 5.4 mA cm(-2). (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.