RESUMO
The development of molecular catalysts for CO2 electroreduction within electrolyzers requests their immobilization on the electrodes. While a variety of methods have been explored for the heterogenization of homogeneous complexes, a novel approach using a hierarchical porous carbon material, derived from a metal-organic framework, is reported as a support for the well-known molecular catalyst [Re(bpy)(CO)3 Cl] (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). This cathodic hybrid material, named Re@HPC (HPC=hierarchical porous carbon), has been tested for CO2 electroreduction using a mixture of an ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, EMIM) and water as the electrolyte. Interestingly, it catalyzes the conversion of CO2 into a mixture of carbon monoxide and formic acid, with a selectivity that depends on the applied potential. The present study thus reveals that Re@HPC is a remarkable catalyst, enjoying excellent activity (turnover numbers for CO2 reduction of 7835 after 2â h at -1.95â V vs. Fc/Fc+ with a current density of 6â mA cm-2 ) and good stability. These results emphasize the advantages of integrating molecular catalysts onto such porous carbon materials for developing novel, stable and efficient, catalysts for CO2 reduction.
RESUMO
Alloying strategies are commonly used to design electrocatalysts that take on properties of their constituent elements. Herein, such a strategy is used to develop Zn-Cu alloyed electrodes with unique hierarchical porosity and tunable selectivity for CO2 versus H+ reduction. By varying the Zn/Cu ratio, tailored syngas mixtures are obtained without the production of other gaseous products, which is attributed to preferential CO- and H2 -forming pathways on the alloys. The syngas ratios are also significantly less sensitive to the applied potential in the alloys relative to pure metal equivalents; an essential quality when coupling electrocatalysis with renewable power sources that have fluctuating intensity. As such, industrially relevant syngas ratios are achieved at large currents (-60â mA) for extensive operating times (>9â h), demonstrating the potential of this strategy for fossil-free fuel production.