Development of a Reactor for Continuous Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ Using Solid Electrolyte

This paper reports the development of an electrochemical reactor for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using anionic and cationic solid electrolyte. Cast nafion membrane was used as cation exchange membrane and alkali doped polyvinyl alcohol cross-linked with glutaraldehyde was used as anion exchange membrane. The anion exchange membranes (solid electrolytes) were characterized using TGA, XRD, FTIR, anionic conductivity, and mechanical strength. The anode electrode was prepared using Pt/C spraying over porous carbon paper. The cathode electrode was prepared using copper electroplating technique over porous carbon paper. The prepared electrodes were characterized using scanning electron microscope. The reactor was assembled with the electrolyte, electrodes, machined graphite plates, and end plates with the required accessories. The preliminary study of the reactor was evaluated for carbon dioxide electrochemical reduction under anionic and cationic electrolytes. The products of the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ were analyzed using GC and HPLC.