Researchers in Japan have developed a new electrochemical cell that can convert bicarbonate solution (derived from captured carbon dioxide) into formate solution. Formate is a type of fuel.
This is significant as it helps address challenges with reactive carbon capture and utilization (RCC), which aims to directly use CO2 dissolved in solutions like bicarbonate rather than needing pure gaseous CO2.
The new cell achieved an 85% faradaic efficiency at high currents, meaning 85% of electrons were transformed into formate. This outperforms existing RCC cell designs.
It works by using catalytic electrodes separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane and porous layer. Hydrogen ions generated at one electrode travel through to react with bicarbonate in the porous layer, producing CO2 gas which is then converted to formate ions at the other electrode.
The cell remained stable over 30 hours with nearly complete bicarbonate to formate conversion. The solid crystalline formate produced can be used as a fuel.
Researchers believe this innovative bicarbonate electrolyzer has potential to support carbon neutral goals by enabling effective carbon capture and utilization without pure CO2.
Source: Interesting Engineering
