Journal Article

Three-dimensional porous hollow fibre copper electrodes for efficient and high-rate electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction

Luiten-Olieman, Mieke W. J., Milbrat, Alexander, Benes, Nieck E., Kas, Recep, Hummadi, Khalid Khazzal, Koper, Marc T. M., Mul, Guido, de Wit, Patrick, Kortlever, Ruud

2016

Overview

Aqueous-phase electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide requires an active, earth-abundant electrocatalyst, as well as highly efficient mass transport. Here we report the design of a porous hollow fibre copper electrode with a compact three-dimensional geometry, which provides a large area, three-phase boundary for gas–liquid reactions. The performance of the copper electrode is significantly enhanced; at overpotentials between 200 and 400 mV, faradaic efficiencies for carbon dioxide reduction up to 85% are obtained. Moreover, the carbon monoxide formation rate is at least one order of magnitude larger when compared with state-of-the-art nanocrystalline copper electrodes. Copper hollow fibre electrodes can be prepared via a facile method that is compatible with existing large-scale production processes. The results of this study may inspire the development of new types of microtubular electrodes for electrochemical processes in which at least one gas-phase reactant is involved, such as in fuel cell technology. Aqueous phase electrochemical reduction of CO 2 requires an active electrocatalyst and efficient mass transport. Here, the authors report a hollow fibre copper electrode displaying compact 3D geometry, with a large area, three phase boundary for gas-liquid reactions, and subsequently enhanced performance.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 140/146 / 639/301/299/161 / 639/638/77 / Carbon dioxide / Carbon monoxide / Chemical reduction / Copper / Electrochemistry / Electrodes / Fuel technology / Humanities and Social Sciences / Mass transport / multidisciplinary / Science / Science (multidisciplinary)