Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGBThe intermittent availability of renewable energy leads to the need of finding new ways to store electric energy. For this reason, we work on the development of sustainable electrochemical synthesis processes driven by renewable electric energy, which is then stored in the form of chemical bonds. By using widely available renewable resources, such as carbon dioxide, water and biomass, we aim to establish an important pillar for a sustainable circular economy.
Sustainable Electrosynthesis
Elektrochemische Durchflusszelle, mit der wir die Reduktion von CO2 zu Ameisensäure untersuchen
CO2 reduction
CO2 can be electrochemically reduced to valuable energy sources and other useful raw materials, such as synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen), formic acid and ethylene. With the objective to enable the industrial application of such technologies, we develop electrocatalysts and processes for the electrochemical production of various CO2 reduction products with a strong focus on industrially relevant performance indicators, e.g. high current density, selectivity and stability at continuous operation in flow cells.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important chemical product that is used in large quantities in various industries. Currently, H2O2 is produced via the anthraquinone‑autoxidation (AO) process, which is energy-intensive and poses environmental risks. The electrochemical production of H2O2 offers an environmentally friendly alternative, particularly suitable for decentralized production of H2O2 on demand and at the location where it is needed. In our labs we work on the electrochemical two-electron‑oxidation of water (H2O) to H2O2, where we have already reached high selectivity and process stability at industrially relevant operational conditions (continuous flow, high current density).
Tabbed contents
Basic chemical formic acid
Electrocatalytic conversion of CO2
The direct electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in an electrochemical cell offers an attractive alternative to thermocatalytic conversion with hydrogen. Various reduction products are possible, whereby we at Fraunhofer IGB concentrate on the electrocatalytic synthesis of formic acid and its salts.
Our development: Elektrochemical synthesis using gas diffusion electrodes
For the electrochemical synthesis of formic acid and formate salts from CO2, we use gas diffusion electrodes coated with various electrocatalysts. Our research encompasses both the formulation of the catalysts and the optimization of the process conditions according to industrially relevant criteria. For example, we use flow cells for continuous process control and work at the highest possible current densities. Catalyst stability is also an important target parameter. Depending on the application, different cell concepts are used.
Benefits and technological readiness
Compared to thermocatalytic processes, direct electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 offers the advantage that no hydrogen has to be provided. In electrocatalytic processes, the reduction of CO2 is carried out by direct electron transfer at the electrode surface. This eliminates the need for a chemical reducing agent and potentially enables higher energy efficiency.
However, in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction, several product formation pathways compete with each other: In addition to formic acid, possible reduction products include carbon monoxide, ethene and methane. Another important side reaction is the formation of hydrogen. Since most side reactions occur in a similar potential window, the applied electrocatalyst is of great importance in order to channel the reaction along the desired reaction pathway and thus maximize the yield of the target product.
The electrochemical synthesis of formic acid is still in the research stage, and commercial application has not yet taken place. The research landscape is very dynamic, and various electrochemical cell concepts are currently being developed.
Our services
- Conceptual development of electrochemical processes
- Development and optimization of electrocatalysts, electrodes and electrolysis cells for a multitude of applications
- Customized and application-specific development of processes and prototypes
- Simulation and modeling
- Scale up, process and plant design
Collaboration
We are very interested in collaborating with partners from the field of material development (electrodes, membranes) and the chemical industry (production or use of formic acid or formate salts).
Publications
- Pangotra et al., Electrochemical Water Oxidation to Hydrogen Peroxide on Bipolar Plates, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2023, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06314.
- Pangotra et al., Anodic generation of hydrogen peroxide in continuous flow, Green Chemistry, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2GC02575B.
- Pangotra et al., Anodic production of hydrogen peroxide using commercial carbon materials, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2021, https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0926337321009735.
- Perry, Pangotra et al., Electrochemical synthesis of hydrogen peroxide from water and oxygen, Nature Reviews Chemistry, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-019-0110-6.