Solar light-assisted electrochemical CO2 reduction on a boron-doped diamond cathode

Abstract

In this study, photoelectrochemical water oxidation with a hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) photoanode and electrochemical CO₂ reduction with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) cathode were combined to convert CO₂ into formic acid under 1 sun AM 1.5 simulated solar light irradiation. The faradaic efficiency of formic acid production by solar light-assisted CO₂ reduction reached 62% and the electrical-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency was 46%. The photo-assisted electrolysis efficiency reached 0.37%.