Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide with Copper Complexes-Devived Catalysts with Hydrophobic Ligands

• Grant number: 25/13664-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Henrique Barros de Lima
• Grantee: Matheus de Oliveira Leite
• 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

The carbon capture and utilization, known as CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization), is a strategy that can help close the carbon cycle. It is within this context that the present project is framed: the electrocatalytic CO¿ reduction reaction (CO2RR) into high value-added products, aiming to replace the use of fossil resources in the chemical industry. In practical devices (electrolyzers) for CO2RR, the use of anion exchange membranes (AEM) has the drawback of allowing the crossover of CO¿²¿ and HCO¿¿ from the anode to the cathode, resulting in low energy and carbon efficiencies of the electrolyzer. This crossover problem can be avoided through the use of acidic cation exchange membranes (CEM), in which protons react with these species, preventing them from being discharged at the anode. However, the optimal conditions must be investigated, as acidic environments near the cathode may promote the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). One way to mitigate HER is the use of hydrophobic molecules in the vicinity of the electrocatalyst, in order to control the water (and consequently proton) content on its surface. Therefore, the aim of this project is to study the electrocatalytic activity and stability of copper nanoparticles for CO2RR using Cu(II) complexes containing hydrophobic ligands that are insoluble in the electrolyte. For this purpose, [Cu(OcDTC)2] (OcDTC = Octyldithiocarbamate) complexes will be synthesized to generate copper nanoparticles, and their electrocatalytic activities for CO2 electroreduction will be investigated in H-type cells with acidic liquid electrolyte and in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) using solid acidic electrolyte. (AU)