Study of the Activity and Stability of Sn-based Electrocatalysts for Selective Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid

• Grant number: 22/11732-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima
• Grantee: Gabriel Pasian Ferreira Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/22183-6 - Electrocatalysis VI: fundamental and applied aspects of emerging and classical problems in electrochemical energy conversion, AP.TEM

Abstract

Bulk or nanostructured Sn electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction to formic acid (or formate ions) are advantageous due to its abundance and low toxicity. The catalytic reduction of CO to HCO2 requires a formal transfer of a hydride, which originates from water activation. However, on metallic Sn surface, the water activation is kinetically limited. In natural catalysts, sulfur atoms are responsible for the hydride formation and transfer for the reduction. Thus, this research project aims to synthesize and investigate the electrocatalytic activity of bulk and nanostructured Sn-based electrocatalysts, modified with sulfur atoms for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to HCOOH. The considered electrocatalysts will be formed by bulk Sn electrodes modified with water-insoluble S-containing compounds, such as polythiophene, and by Sn particles or clusters anchored on sulfur-modified (S-doped) carbon power. In all cases, the aim is to study the influence of the sulfur atoms on the rate and on the faradaic efficiency for HCOOH formation.