open access publication

Article, 2024

Optimizing the use of a gas diffusion electrode setup for CO2 electrolysis imitating a zero-gap MEA design

Journal of Catalysis, ISSN 1090-2694, 0021-9517, Volume 429, Page 115209, 10.1016/j.jcat.2023.115209

Contributors

Alinejad, Shima 0000-0002-1151-3333 [1] Quinson, Jonathan Quinson 0000-0002-9374-9330 [2] [3] Li, Yao [4] Kong, Ying 0009-0000-3069-8153 [1] Reichenberger, Sven 0000-0002-7166-9428 [4] Barcikowski, Stephan 0000-0002-9739-7272 [4] Broekmann, Peter 0000-0002-6287-1042 [1] Arenz, Matthias 0000-0001-9765-4315 (Corresponding author) [1]

Affiliations

  1. [1] University of Bern
    2. [NORA names: Switzerland; Europe, Non-EU; OECD];
  2. [2] Biochemical and Chemical Engineering Department, Åbogade 40, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
    3. [NORA names: Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  3. [3] University of Copenhagen
    4. [NORA names: KU University of Copenhagen; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD];
  4. [4] University of Duisburg-Essen
    5. [NORA names: Germany; Europe, EU; OECD]

Abstract

The lack of a robust and standardized experimental test bed to investigate the performance of catalyst materials for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ECO2RR) is one of the major challenges in this field of research. To best reproduce and mimic commercially relevant conditions for catalyst screening and testing, gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setups attract rising attention as an alternative to conventional aqueous-based setups such as the H-cell configuration. Zero-gap electrolyzer designs show promising features for upscaling to the commercial scale. In this study, we scrutinize further our recently introduced “zero-gap GDE” setup or more correct half-cell MEA design for the CO2RR. Using an Au electrocatalyst as a model system we simulate the anode conditions in a zero-gap electrolyzer and identify/report the key experimental parameters to control the catalyst layer preparation to optimize the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. Among others, it is demonstrated that supported Au nanoparticles (NPs) result in significantly higher current densities when compared to unsupported counterparts, however, the supporting also renders the NPs prone to agglomeration during electrolysis.

Keywords

Au electrocatalysts, Au nanoparticles, CO2, CO2 electrolysis, CO2 reduction reaction, CO2RR, H cells, H-cell configurations, MEA design, activity, agglomeration, alternative, anode, anodization conditions, attention, bed, catalyst, catalyst layer preparation, catalyst materials, catalyst screening, commercial scale, conditions, configuration, counterparts, current density, density, design, diffusion electrode, eCO2RR, electrocatalysts, electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction, electrode, electrode setup, electrolysis, electrolyzer, electrolyzer design, experimental parameters, experimental test bed, features, field, field of research, gas, gas diffusion electrode, gas diffusion electrode setup, high current density, lack, layer preparation, materials, model, model system, nanoparticles, parameters, performance, preparation, reaction, reduction reaction, relevant conditions, research, scale, screening, selection, setup, significance, significantly higher current density, study, system, test, test bed, unsupported counterparts, zero-gap, zero-gap electrolyzer

Funders

  • Swiss National Science Foundation

Data Provider: Digital Science

LINKS
-

Matching Records in NORA

SUBJECTS
+

METRICS
+