A reversed gas diffusion electrode enables collection of high purity gas products from CO2 electroreduction

Abstract

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) in conventional systems typically generates highly diluted product output streams. This necessitates energy intensive and costly product separation, which potentially decreases the feasibility and economic viability of the process. Here, we describe the design and fabrication of a reversed gas diffusion electrode, which makes use of electrolyte pressure to channel products toward a collection chamber. Importantly, this strategy successfully excludes CO₂ and permits gas products to be siphoned off at high purity. We further show that the electrolyte pressure and gas diffusion layer pore size are the key factors which govern the product collection efficiency. Using a nanoporous Au catalyst, we showcase the continuous production of high purity syngas over an extended 76 h period, operating at a full-cell energy efficiency of 37%. Importantly, we also demonstrate that this system is oxygen-tolerant, with no parasitic loss of current towards the oxygen reduction reaction even with a 95% CO₂ + 5% O₂ gas feed. Taken together, our results introduce a new design approach for CO₂R electrolyzer systems.