Aqueous electrocatalytic CO2 reduction using metal complexes dispersed in polymer ion gels†
Abstract
We use fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl] ([Re–Cl]) dispersed in polymer ion gel (PIG) ([Re]–PIG) to carry out electrocatalytic CO2 reduction in water. Electrolysis at −0.68 V vs. RHE in a CO2-saturated KOH and K2CO3 solution produces CO with over 90% Faradaic efficiency. The PIG electrode is readily combined with water oxidation catalysts to generate a full electrochemical cell. Additionally, we provide evidence that the PIG electrode can be implemented with other molecular catalysts.