(569cp) Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Value Added Chemicals Using Cu-Pd Bimetallic Catalyst

In the era of ever-increasing global warming, the efforts to remove and recycle CO₂ from the atmosphere is a promising way to achieve energy and environmental sustainability. Reduction of CO₂ at ambient temperature and pressure via electrochemical route (ECO₂RR) to obtain value-added products is a potential approach towards net zero emission. C1 products such as formate produced from ECO₂RR can be used as a hydrogen energy carrier for fuel cells and biomass upgrading while C2 products such as acetate is a crucial feedstock for many industrial processes.

Our work involves the development of bimetallic Cu-Pd based catalysts for production of formate and acetate via ECO₂RR. The catalysts were synthesized by reduction of acetate salts of Cu and Pd in three different molar ratios. The materials were characterized in terms of their structure, crystallinity, morphology, textural properties, and elemental distribution. ECO₂RR experiments were performed in a H-cell using Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode and 0.1 M KHCO₃ as the electrolyte. Reactions were performed for 1 h at voltage ranging from -0.6 to -1.6 V vs RHE. The mechanistic evaluation of the conversion routes using the catalysts are underway. The details of our work with bimetallic catalysts will be presented.