Electrochemical Studies for CO2Reduction Using Synthesized Co3O4(Anode) and Cu2O (Cathode) as Electrocatalysts

This work discusses the electrocatalytic effect of cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) as an anode in reduction of CO 2 to products electrochemically (RCPE) on cuprous oxide (Cu 2 O). Powders of Cu 2 O and Co 3 O 4 were synthesized from nitrates of their respective salts by the electrodeposition method. RCPE was studied using CO 2 dissolved in 0.5 M KHCO 3 solution at different applied voltages (1.5–3.5 V) and time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 min. CO 2 was reduced to different products, such as formic acid, formaldehyde, propanol, acetic acid, methanol, and ethanol, as major products in the presence of synthesized electrocatalysts. Ethanol was produced as the main reduced product from CO 2 with high Faradaic efficiencies at different applied voltages. At 1.5 and 2 V, maximum Faradaic efficiencies of 76.31 and 96.15% for ethanol were obtained in 5 min of reaction. This study reveals the capability of synthesizing electrocatalysts and its application toward reduction of CO 2 to ethanol with high Faradaic efficiency.