Selective Electrochemical Production of Ethylene from Bicarbonate Solution

Autor(es)

Khiarak, Behnam Nourmohammadi ; da Silva, Gelson T. S. T. ; Crane, Jackson ; O'Brien, Colin P. ; Pepe, Michael R. ; Gabardo, Christine M. ; Golovanova, Viktoria ; de Arquer, F. Pelayo Garcia ; Dinh, Cao-Thang

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION; v. N/A, p. 10-pg., 2025-07-17.

Resumo

Carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction directly from a reactive carbon solution (e.g., (bi)carbonate) provides a promising approach for integrating CO2 capture and conversion. Compared to CO2 conversion in gas-fed systems, this system typically suffers from low Faradaic efficiency (FE), especially for multicarbon (C2+) products. Here, we report an engineered material structuring to selectively produce C2+ products directly from a N2-saturated bicarbonate solution. Multiphysics modeling studies reveal the critical role of local current density distribution and the spatio-selective evolution of C2+ products, which is favored in thinner catalysts (240 mu m thickness). By jointly tailoring catalyst configuration and mass transport in bicarbonate electroreduction, adjusting the thickness, porosity, and surface oxidation of copper (Cu) mesh catalysts, as well as catholyte composition, we achieved a maximum C2H4 FE of 39% and total C2+ FE over 55% at 150 mA cm-2 with a 240 mu m thick Cu mesh. The system is also stable for over 160 h at 100 mA cm-2 with maintained C2H4 FE over 20%. Our electrolysis system converts bicarbonate to C2+ with over 90% CO2 utilization efficiency, reducing regeneration and separation costs. Optimizing catalyst pore structure, and copper surface oxide is a key to maximizing C2H4 production from bicarbonate solutions. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 23/10268-2 - Desenvolvimento de catalisadores a base de fosfetos metálico para eletroredução seletiva e eficiente de CO2
• Beneficiário: Gelson Tiago dos Santos Tavares da Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Centro de Desenvolvimento de Materiais Funcionais
• Beneficiário: Elson Longo da Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão - CEPIDs