CO2 electroreduction on P4VP modified copper deposited gas diffusion layer electrode: pH effect

Abstract

Copper-based electrodes have high potential to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals with satisfactory faradaic efficiency and selectivity. To improve these criteria, we have utilized the idea of copper deposited gas diffusion electrode and pH sensitive polymer membrane, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP). At pH 3.87, in contrast to pH 6.7, both faradaic efficiency and formic acid concentration increased after P4VP loading. Distinct behavior of P4VP at pH 3.87 indicates that P4VP could actively participate in formic acid production route by decoupled proton–electron transfer.