An industrial perspective on catalysts for low-temperature CO electrolysis.

Electrochemical conversion of CO to useful products at temperatures below 100 °C is nearing the commercial scale. Pilot units for CO conversion to CO are already being tested. Units to convert CO to formic acid are projected to reach pilot scale in the next year.

Carbon Dioxide and Water Electrolysis Using New Alkaline Stable Anion Membranes.

The recent development and market introduction of a new type of alkaline stable imidazole-based anion exchange membrane and related ionomers by Dioxide Materials is enabling the advancement of new and improved electrochemical processes which can operate at commercially viable operating voltages, current efficiencies, and current densities. These processes include the electrochemical conversion of CO to formic acid (HCOOH), CO to carbon monoxide (CO), and alkaline water electrolysis, generating hydrogen at high current densities at low voltages without the need for any precious metal electrocatalysts. The first process is the direct electrochemical generation of pure formic acid in a three-compartment cell configuration using the alkaline stable anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane.