Reduction of CO2 to Methanol and Methane by Photo and Dark Reactions on Semiconductor and Metal Electrodes. Annual Report February 15, 1986-February 28, 1987

摘要

The electrochemical reduction of aqueous CO2 was studied using Ru cathodes. The rate of methane formation is controlled by temperature, electrolyte pH, and impurities in the electrolyte. Electrode surfaces are deactivated at t greater than 80 C by formation of surface carbon. Methane formation is observed for potentials negative of -0.40V (SCE) at pH 4.0- is a poison for the methane reaction.