Analytical modelling of CO<sub>2</sub> reduction in gas-diffusion electrode catalyst layers

Journal article (2021)

Authors

J.W. Blake Complex Fluid Processing - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.T. Padding Complex Fluid Processing - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.W. Haverkort Energy Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Complex Fluid Processing (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 J.W. Blake, J.T. Padding, J.W. Haverkort
DOI
help_outline
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138987
Electrolysis Local pH CO reduction
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Process and Energy

Research Group

Complex Fluid Processing

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 on planar electrodes is limited by its prohibitively low diffusivity and solubility in water. Gas-diffusion electrodes (GDEs) can be used to reduce these limitations, and facilitate current densities orders of magnitude higher than the limiting current densities of planar electrodes. These improvements are accompanied by increased variation in the local environment within the cathode, with significant effect on Faradaic efficiency. By developing a simple and freely available analytical model of a cathodic catalyst layer configured for the production of CO, we investigate the relationships between electrode reaction kinetics, cell operation conditions, catholyte composition and cell performance. Analytical methods allow us to cover parameter ranges that are intractable for numerical and experimental studies. We validate our findings against experimental and numerical results and provide a derivation and implementation of the analytical model.