An Analysis of Chemically Modi ed Electrodes for Their Applications in the Electroreduction of CO2 to Fuels

Abstract

The reduction of CO2 to fuels such as methanol and other organic products has received increasing attention in recent years, owing to its potential to com- bat rising anthropogenic CO2 emissions while generating a renewable source of fuel. Numerous classes of molecules and methods have been studied in efforts to develop systems capable of effcient CO2 reduction,, including catalytic hydrogenation, catalysis by complex metal hydrides, electrochemical reduction, photocatalysis, and biological reduction. This paper examines three molecules, cobalt protoporphyrin IX, polyaniline, and poly(3,5 pyridine). For protoporphyrin IX, we demonstrate the cobalt metal redox state at CO2 reducing potentials, while developing a new aqueous method for CoPP electrodeposition. For polyanline, we demonstrate the novel application of the polymer as a catalyst of CO2 reduction to methanol in aqeuous solution at pH 3. Finally, for poly (3,5 pyridine), we attempt to characterize its redox properties, but fail to find conclusive evidence as to its potential as an effective CO2 reducing catalyst.