Synthesis of platinum group metal nanoparticles assisted by CO2 reduction and H2 cogeneration at gas-diffusion electrodes

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 at gas-diffusion electrodes offers a green pathway to the synthesis of elemental nanoparticles (NPs) of the platinum group metals (PGMs) in aqueous media. The H2 and CO co-generated act on the direct reduction of the Pt, Pd and Rh chlorides. The CO2 equilibrium reactions are essential to obtain nanoparticles. The recovery and upcycling of the PGMs and the synthesis of PGM NPs are applications of the novel gas-diffusion electrocrystallization (GDEx) process portrayed.