Design of Functional Electrodes for Novel Photoelectrocatalytic Cells Applied to CO2 Reduction

Abstract

In the context of the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable model of economic development, the design of active electrocatalysts for CO2RR is a key step for the development of integrated solutions enabling the carbon-neutral production of chemicals and fuels. DECADE project develops an original PEC (photo-electro-catalytic) approach, using solar energy for the selective conversion of CO2, in combination with bioethanol (or methanol) upgrading. The final aim is to increase energy efficiency and mitigate the current limitation of state-of-the art electrolyzers, based on H2O oxidation as the anodic process. Here, the exploitation of novel multifunctional nanomaterials based on the functionalization of nanocarbon surfaces with active electrocatalysts is of particular interest. Indeed, the use of metal and metal oxides phases supported on nanocarbon scaffolds reveals good performances for the electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 in the presence of different electrolytes.