DEVELOPING EFFICIENT CATALYTIC SYSTEMS FOR THE ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF CARBON DIOXIDE

Abstract

In this thesis, electrochemical reduction of CO2 to useful products is proposed to be a promising solution to the increased global warming effect due to the excessive emission of the greenhouse gas. In light of this, different catalytic systems have been investigated to improve the efficiency, selectivity and stability of the CO2RR process. These were: (i) the electrochemical reduction of ethylene oxide on Cu for the study of post C-C coupling intermediates during CO2RR to ethylene, (ii) the CO2RR on Cu catalysts to determine the reason behind deactivation, (iii) the CO2RR on pulse-deposited Zn dendrites to increase the production of methanol, and (iv) the formic acid reduction to methanol as an alternative means for the tandem electrolysis of producing methanol from CO2 (CO2 to HCOOH, followed by HCOOH to CH3OH). Through these studies, efficient catalysts can be developed for the selective formation of desired value-added products from CO2RR.