Catalyst Aggregation Matters for Immobilized Molecular CORR Electrocatalysts.

Here, we detail how the catalytic behavior of immobilized molecular electrocatalysts for the CO reduction reaction (CORR) can be impacted by catalyst aggregation. Raman spectroscopy was used to study the CORR mediated by a layer of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) immobilized on the cathode of an electrochemical flow reactor. We demonstrate that during electrolysis, the oxidation state of CoPc in the catalyst layer is dependent upon the degree of catalyst aggregation.

Conversion of Reactive Carbon Solutions into CO at Low Voltage and High Carbon Efficiency.

Electrolyzers are now capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO) into products at high reaction rates but are often characterized by low energy efficiencies and low CO utilization efficiencies. We report here an electrolyzer that reduces 3.0 M KHCO(aq) into CO(g) at a high rate (partial current density for CO of 220 mA cm) and a CO utilization efficiency of 40%, at a voltage of merely 2.