Electrochemical synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol over carbonaceous material supported DBU in a capacitor-like cell reactor

Abstract

Electro-assisted dimethyl carbonate (DMC) formation from CO₂ and methanol over carbonaceous material supported 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was first performed under solvent-free conditions in a capacitor-like cell reactor designed by our group. The effects of applied voltage modes and conductivities of the catalysts on the catalytic performances were fully investigated. The experiment results demonstrated that the catalytic activities can be obviously boosted when the voltages were applied to the catalyst fixed-bed. The constant working potential presented better catalytic activity than the metabolic voltages, and the higher conductivity of catalysts leads to a better catalytic performance. Furthermore, the supported DBU displayed good recyclable properties in the specially designed electrochemical apparatus. We proposed a reaction mechanism of the electrocatalysis for DMC formation.