PROCESS FOR THE SELECTIVE ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION OF C0₂ INTO C2 HYDROCARBONS

摘要

A process for the selective electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, namely C2 hydrocarbons is presented. The process is carried out in an electrochemical cell where the cathode is a modified electrode with copper electrodeposits in order to improve the catalytic activity and selectivity of the system. The formation of a mixture of C2 hydrocarbons (C₂H₄ and C₂H₆) without methane is successfully obtained on specific higher surface area electrodeposits. Additionally, ethylene is selectively produced in detriment of ethane. The ex-situ copper electrodeposit leads to the steadiness of carbon dioxide reduction process, i.e., the stability of hydrocarbons production due to the weak deactivation of the cathode.