Clean, efficient electrolysis of formic acid via formation of eutectic, ionic mixtures with ammonium formate

摘要

Formic acid is a promising compound with regard to hydrogen storage and generation, as it can be formed via the hydrogenation of CO_2 and decomposed to form H_2 and CO_2. The electrochemistry of formic acid, aqueous solutions of ammonium formate, and ammonium formate/formic acid eutectic mixtures (1.0 : 1.25 mol/mol, respectively) have been investigated. The electrocatalytic oxidation of formic acid was observed in the eutectic mixtures, and bulk electrolysis at platinum electrodes demonstrated electrolysis of the formic acid to form H_2 and CO_2.