Efficient electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂to CO using ligand-protected Au₂₅clusters

摘要

An apparatus and method for CO2 reduction using an Au25 electrode. The Au25 electrode is comprised of ligand-protected Au25 having a structure comprising an icosahedral core of 13 atoms surrounded by a shell of six semi-ring structures bonded to the core of 13 atoms, where each semi-ring structure is typically —SR—Au—SR—Au—SR or —SeR—Au—SeR—Au—SeR. The 12 semi-ring gold atoms within the six semi-ring structures are stellated on 12 of the 20 faces of the icosahedron of the Au13 core, and organic ligand —SR or —SeR groups are bonded to the Au13 core with sulfur or selenium atoms. The Au25 electrode and a counter-electrode are in contact with an electrolyte comprising CO2 and H+, and a potential of at least −0.1 volts is applied from the Au25 electrode to the counter-electrode.

主权项

1. A method of reducing CO2 comprising:
establishing an Au25 electrode in contact with an electrolyte, where the Au25 electrode comprises ligand-protected Au25 and where the electrolyte comprises CO2 and H+; providing a counter-electrode in contact with the electrolyte; furnishing a voltage source comprising a negative terminal and a positive terminal where the negative terminal is in electrical communication with the Au25 electrode and the positive terminal is in electrical communication with the counter-electrode; generating a potential with the voltage source and generating such that a voltage difference of about −0.8 volts to about −1.2 volts from the Au25 electrode to the counter electrode; and reducing some portion of the CO2 in the electrolyte and generating CO from the some portion of the CO2 in the electrolyte.