Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide Using a Copper Rubeanate Metal Organic Framework

We synthesized a copper rubeanate metal organic framework (CR-MOF) which has the potential to improve the catalytic activity of electrochemical reduction of CO2 due to its characteristics of electronic conductivity, proton conductivity, dispersed reaction sites, and nanopores. Synthesized CR-MOF particles were dropped on carbon paper (CP) to form a working electrode. The onset potential for CO2 reduction of a CR-MOF electrode was about 0.2 V more positive than that observed on a Cu metal electrode in an aqueous electrolyte solution. Our analysis of the reduction products during potentiostatic electrolysis showed formic acid (HCOOH) to be virtually the only CO2 reduction product on a CR-MOF electrode, whereas a Cu metal electrode generates a range of products. The quantity of products from the CR-MOF electrode was markedly greater (13-fold at -1.2 V vs. SHE) than that of a Cu metal electrode. Its stability was also confirmed. (c) 2012 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.