posted on 2024-02-22, 22:29authored byBastian Rutjens, Konstantin von Foerster, Bernhard Schmid, Henning Weinrich, Sergio Sanz, Hermann Tempel, Rüdiger-A. Eichel
The electrochemical
reduction of CO2 to formic acid
(HCOOH) is a sustainable synthetic approach with the potential to
substitute for energy-demanding conventional processes. In this framework,
the three-compartment electrolyzer presents a crucial technological
advancement, facilitating the direct production of diluted HCOOH in
the center compartment, which is separated from the anode and cathode
by cation and anion exchange membranes (CEM and AEM), respectively.
However, the impact of the AEM on both selectivity and energy consumption
in the three-compartment electrolyzer remains largely unexplored.
Herein, the use of PiperION AEMs, investigated under different thicknesses
(13–80 μm), current densities (200–500 mA cm–2), and center compartment flow rates (50–200
μL min–1), confirms that the AEM acts as a
barrier between the acidic center and the alkaline cathodic compartment.
Thicker AEMs provide the optimal alkaline media in the cathode manifested
by enhanced catalytic efficiency and selectivity (FEFA up
to 84%). The thinnest membrane (13 μm) yields diminished performance
in terms of the faradaic efficiency of HCOOH, whereas the thickest
membrane (80 μm) shows high cell voltages and limiting applicable
current densities. However, medium thick membranes (22 and 35) present
high faradaic efficiencies of HCOOH (FEFA = 76%) with low
specific energy consumptions (QFA = 5.9
kWh kg–1) and increased HCOOH concentrations (c = 2.3 mol L–1), given their enhanced
shielding effects while maintaining moderate cell voltages (U = 3.8 V).