Optimization of Solution Condition for an Effective Electrochemical Reduction of N2O

Abstract An effective electrochemical reduction of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is established by controlling solution compositions in this study. N 2 O was electrochemically reduced varying solvent composition and supporting electrolytes (K 2 SO 4 and Na 2 SO 4 ) concentrations. The differences in reduction current density and solution resistance were analyzed via linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively, depending on solution conditions. UV‐Vis spectroscopy was adopted to measure the solubility of N 2 O. As a result, among the conditions investigated in this study, 300 mM of K 2 SO 4 and aqueous based solution were revealed as an optimum condition for the electrochemical N 2 O reduction. At 300 mM of K 2 SO 4 , the highest current density was obtained due to a high conductance of the electrolyte and a moderate solubility of N 2 O.