Electrochemical Conversion of Methanol and Carbon Dioxide to Dimethyl Carbonate at Graphite-Pt Electrode System

Electrocatalytic activation and conversion of methanol and CO2 to dimethyl carbonate with graphite and platinum electrodes in the dialkylimidazolium ionic liquid-methanol system was conducted under ambient conditions. Among the ionic liquids screened, 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BzmimCl) exhibited effective performance as a supporting electrolyte. In the process of the electrolysis, dimethyl carbonate was effectively synthesized in the absence of any other additives. Based on the electrochemical activation of the methanol on the electrode, insertion of CO2, CH3OH participating in the reaction, the electrochemical reaction mechanism proposed here is very different from those previously reported. (C) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.049212jes] All rights reserved.