Carbon dioxide can be formed in many ways, especially in combustion, it is one of the most important reasons lead to greenhouse effect and global warming. So many scientists devoted themselves to techniques that can reduce CO₂ emissions. Among these promising techniques, electrochemical ways provide a efficient means, as it can convert carbon dioxide into fuels and other useful materials.^[1,2] This way has many advantages: (a) the process is controllable by setting the temperature of electrode; (b) the system can take advantage of new energy resources and the production do not contaminate environment; (c) the system is compact and easily operated; (d) the experiment can be operated under normal atmospheric pressure and temperature.^[3,4]

In this paper, Tin-Cu alloy was deposited on carbon paper by electrodeposition in aqueous solution, which was employed as a cathode for electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to formate, and how to obtain big catalytic current density, high efficiency and high production rate of formate were explored and discussed. Tin-Cu alloys with different compositions were characterized by morphology, structure, and composition. The electrochemical behavior of the alloys was measured by EIS and CV analysis. In addition, FE, partial current density (PCD), and concentration of HCOO⁻ on the alloys were investigated and compared with those on Sn and Cu electrodes.

References

[1] S. Rasul, D.H. Anjum, A. Jedidi, Y. Minenkov, L. Cavallo, K. Takanabe, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 54,2146(2015).

[2] Q. Lu, J. Rosen, Y. Zhou, G.S. Hutchings, Y.C. Kimmel, J.G. Chen, F. Jiao, Nat. Commun., 5,4242(2014).

[3] Q. Shen, Z.F. Chen, X.F. Huang, M.C. Liu, G.H. Zhao, Environ. Sci. Technol., 49,5828(2015).

[4] X.Q. Min, M.W. Kanan, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 137, 4701(2015).