Pulsed Electrodeposition of Tin Electrocatalysts onto Gas Diffusion Layers for Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Formate

This paper discusses a pulse electroplating method for developing tin (Sn)-decorated gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formate. The pulse-plated Sn electrodes achieved current densities up to 388 mA/cm(2), more than two-fold greater than conventionally prepared electrodes (150 mA/cm(2)), both at a formate selectivity of 80%. Optical and microscopic analyses indicate improvements in deposition parameters could further enhance performance by reducing the catalyst particle size.