(655g) Magnetically Enhanced Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Syngas

Decreasing CO₂ emissions represents one of the major challenges that the modern society faces nowadays. From the different strategies that have been proposed for mitigating such emissions, the electrochemical reduction of CO₂ (CO₂ER) has become an attractive method, since it enables the conversion of this greenhouse gas into valuable products (i.e., fuels and chemicals). However, despite the promising possibilities of this technology, CO₂ER is still limited by the mass transport of CO₂ from the bulk to the surface of the electrode, which in turn affects the system performance. A potential strategy for enhancing the species transport in the solution relies on the application of magnetic fields in the electrochemical system.^1-3 In this regard, the design of efficient magneto-electrochemical systems (MECSs) calls for understanding the role of the magnetic field in the improvement of the cell’s performance. Motivated by this lack of knowledge, we herein aim at addressing the theoretical characterization of a MECS for CO₂ER to syngas (CO and H₂) and its subsequent experimental testing. Particularly, our system consists of a membrane-based electrochemical cell with Cu/Ag electrodes and neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets as magnetic field sources. The theoretical model is solved in COMSOL Multiphysics and accounts for (i) the reduction and oxidation of the electroactive species and (ii) the electrolyte convection due to the interaction of the electric and magnetic fields. The prospective results of this study may be understood as the cornerstone for the design and optimization of MECSs for CO₂ER not only to syngas but to other value-added products of interest.