Optimizing the use of a “Zero-Gap” Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

The lack of a robust and standardized experimental test bed to investigate the performance of catalyst materials for the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ECO2RR) is one of the major challenges in this field of research. To best reproduce and mimic commercially relevant conditions for catalyst screening and testing, gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setups attract a rising attention as an alternative to conventional aqueous-based setups such as the H-cell configuration. In particular a zero-gap design shows promising features for upscaling to the commercial scale. In this study, we develop further our recently introduced zero-gap GDE setup for the CO2RR using an Au electrocatalyst as model system and identify/report the key experimental parameters to control in the catalyst layer preparation in order to optimize the activity and selectivity of the catalyst.

Visualization of spatial electrochemical activity via a combined thermal-electric potentiostat

The electrolysis of water, CO2 and N2 provide options for producing fossil-free fuels and feedstocks at global scales. Technological advancements are challenged by the complexity of phenomena spanning broad physical scales (angstroms to meters) and scientific domains. Further, activity is presently quantified indirectly, hindering disambiguation of catalytic and system effects. Here, we present a spatial thermal-electric potentiostat (STEP) which links local electrochemical activity to an associated operando heat signature. The STEP then directly maps catalytic activity with fine resolutions in temperature (10 mK), time (0.2 s) and space (0.1 mm), capturing operational phenomena as they occur. We demonstrate STEP’s potential for catalyst screening, degradation measurements and spatial mapping through water and CO2 electrolysis experiments up to 0.2 A cm-2. We identify rapid catalytic temperature spikes with activity (>10 K at 0.2 A cm-2) and localized activity fluctuations in operation, both which challenge many perceptions of the electrocatalyst and reaction environment during operation.

CO2 Improved Synthesis of Benzimidazole with the Catalysis of a New Calcium 4-Amino-3-hydroxybenzoate

In this paper, we explored the synthesis of benzimidazole by the reaction of DMF and o-phenylenediamine. In the process of catalyst screening, we found that 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoic acid, benzoic acid, and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid could catalyze the reaction. Moreover, the calcium 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoate and CO2 could more effectively catalyze the reaction, the synergistic effect of CO2 and 4-amino-3-hydroxybenzoic acid calcium salt can increase the yield of benzimidazole from 28% to 94%.

Catalytic ketonization of palmitic acid over a series of transition metal oxides supported on zirconia oxide-based catalysts

Catalyst screening and optimization of a series of ZrO2 supported metal oxides for ketonization of undiluted, neat palmitic acid.