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Electroreduction of CO2 on bismuth nanoparticles in seawater

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Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formate was investigated in seawater as an alternative electrolyte to the bicarbonate buffer commonly used. Bismuth nanoparticles were prepared by pulsed laser ablation in liquids in ethanol, avoiding the use of toxic reagents or solvents. TEM analysis showed the nanoparticles were monodisperse and had an average number weighted diameter of 13 ± 5 nm. XRD showed that the nanoparticles were metallic which could suggest the presence of a carbon shell on the nanoparticles. However, this potential carbon shell does not appear to interfere with the electrocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles. A stepwise optimization of the catalyst weight fraction, Nafion® content, and loading showed that the best performances were achieved for 90% wt. bismuth nanoparticles on carbon, at a loading of 0.25 mg cm−2 and with 0.24% wt. Nafion®. The electrolysis in seawater showed similar or improved results both in terms of onset potential (− 1 V vs Ag/AgCl) selectivity (81 ± 4%) and activity (− 47 ± 11 mA cm−2) when compared to the reference bicarbonate buffer, demonstrating that seawater is an abundant, affordable alternative to the current buffer.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) via the Discovery Grant program. The financial support of the start-up fund of St Francis Xavier University is gratefully acknowledged. Two of the authors, Aaron Mason and William (Joey) Murphy, would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Canada Summer jobs program. Another author, Kyla MacDonald, is also grateful for the financial support received through NSERC Undergraduate Research Award and the John P. Cunningham Award. The assistance and support of Arkadiy Reunov and Yulia Reunova with the SEM measurements of the ablation craters of the bismuth target after ablation was also highly appreciated.

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) via the Discovery Grant program and the start-up fund of St Francis Xavier University. Students were funded through NSERC Undergraduate Research Award and the Canada Summer jobs program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Saint Francis Xavier University, 5009 Chapel Square, Antigonish, NS, B2G 2W5, Canada

    Aaron Mason, Kyla MacDonald, William Murphy & Erwan Bertin

  2. Department of Physics, Acadia University, Box 49, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada

    Craig Bennett

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  1. Aaron Mason
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Correspondence to Erwan Bertin.

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Mason, A., MacDonald, K., Murphy, W. et al. Electroreduction of CO2 on bismuth nanoparticles in seawater. J Appl Electrochem 53, 217–226 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-022-01774-y

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