Nickel Coated Graphite Microparticle Based Electrodes for Carbon Dioxide Reduction in MonoethanolamineMedium

Abstract

A composite electrode that contains home-made nickel coated carbon micro-particles as active materials and epoxy binder has been prepared. The surface morphology, elemental composition and size distribution of microparticles were investigated using SEM, EDS, AAS, micro Raman spectroscopy and appropriate seizer apparatus. The prepared micro-particles appeared monodispers with 33 μm most numerous particle size diameter and with 10.1 w/w % Ni content. Conventional electrochemical methods like impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry as well as scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) were used for investigation the properties of the composite electrodes. It has been proved that the electrode can be well used for electro-catalytic reduction of CO2 directly in aqueous mono-ethanol amine (MEA) solution that frequently are applied for capturing it from power plant flue gases. SECM measurements showed that presence of dissolved CO2 hinders the hydrogen evolution in aqueous MEA solution.