Alkalinity Initiated Decomposition of Mediating Imidazolium Ions in High Current Density CO 2 Electrolysis

Neubauer SS, Schmid B, Reller C, Guldi DM, Schmid G (2017)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 160-167

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1002/celc.201600461

Abstract

Aqueous ionic liquid electrolytes featuring the promising 1,3-dialkyl- and 1,2,3-trialkyl-imidazolium cations are reported in CO2 electrolysis up to 200 mAcm-2. A close-to-application flow cell setup equipped with silver gas diffusion electrode to overcome CO2 mass transport limitations was used. Faraday efficiencies for CO as high as 68% were achieved, while inhibiting the hydrogen evolution reaction. Particular attention is paid to the stability of the ionic liquids, which is determined by 1H NMR spectroscopic measurements. The root cause of decomposition is the formation of hydroxide ions through reduction reactions. A high local pH arises that depends on the current density. The water content is also found to play a key role. An overall mechanism is proposed from analysis of the decomposition products including methylamine, ethylamine, formate, acetate and N1-ethyl-N2-methylethane-1,2-diamine. Methylation of the susceptible C2 position of the imidazolium ring fails to stabilize the system under high conversion rate electrolysis conditions.

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APA:

Neubauer, S.S., Schmid, B., Reller, C., Guldi, D.M., & Schmid, G. (2017). Alkalinity Initiated Decomposition of Mediating Imidazolium Ions in High Current Density CO 2 Electrolysis. ChemElectroChem, 4(1), 160-167. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/celc.201600461

MLA:

Neubauer, Sebastian S., et al. "Alkalinity Initiated Decomposition of Mediating Imidazolium Ions in High Current Density CO 2 Electrolysis." ChemElectroChem 4.1 (2017): 160-167.

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