Process and high surface area electrodes for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
First Claim
1. A method for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into products, comprising:
- (A) introducing an acidic anolyte to a first compartment of a first electrochemical cell, the first compartment including an anode;
(B) introducing a catholyte including an alkali metal bicarbonate to a second compartment of the first electrochemical cell, the catholyte saturated with carbon dioxide, the second compartment including a high surface area cathode, the high surface area cathode including a coating containing indium and having a void volume of between about 30% to 98%, at least a portion of the catholyte including the alkali metal bicarbonate being recycled;
(C) applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to an alkali metal formate;
(D) introducing the alkali metal formate to an ion exchange compartment of a second electrochemical cell;
(E) applying an electrical potential between an anode of the second electrochemical cell and a cathode of the second electrochemical cell sufficient to produce at least formic acid and an alkali metal hydroxide;
(F) introducing the alkali metal hydroxide with carbon dioxide to generate at least a portion of the alkali metal bicarbonate introduced to the second compartment of the first electrochemical cell; and
(G) separating the alkali metal formate from the alkali metal bicarbonate of the catholyte of the first electrochemical cell with a nano-filtration system, wherein the nano-filtration system separates monovalent anions from divalent anions.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to organic products including formate and formic acid are provided. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may introduce an acidic anolyte to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. The first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce a bicarbonate-based catholyte saturated with carbon dioxide to a second compartment of the electrochemical cell. The second compartment may include a high surface area cathode including indium and having a void volume of between about 30% to 98%. At least a portion of the bicarbonate-based catholyte is recycled. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to at least one of a single-carbon based product or a multi-carbon based product.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide into products, comprising:
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(A) introducing an acidic anolyte to a first compartment of a first electrochemical cell, the first compartment including an anode; (B) introducing a catholyte including an alkali metal bicarbonate to a second compartment of the first electrochemical cell, the catholyte saturated with carbon dioxide, the second compartment including a high surface area cathode, the high surface area cathode including a coating containing indium and having a void volume of between about 30% to 98%, at least a portion of the catholyte including the alkali metal bicarbonate being recycled; (C) applying an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to an alkali metal formate; (D) introducing the alkali metal formate to an ion exchange compartment of a second electrochemical cell; (E) applying an electrical potential between an anode of the second electrochemical cell and a cathode of the second electrochemical cell sufficient to produce at least formic acid and an alkali metal hydroxide; (F) introducing the alkali metal hydroxide with carbon dioxide to generate at least a portion of the alkali metal bicarbonate introduced to the second compartment of the first electrochemical cell; and (G) separating the alkali metal formate from the alkali metal bicarbonate of the catholyte of the first electrochemical cell with a nano-filtration system, wherein the nano-filtration system separates monovalent anions from divalent anions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification