Influence of anions on the production efficiency in pulsed electroreduction of CO2 on metal and alloy electrodes

A pulsed electrolysis of CO2 on Au, Ag and Cu and their alloyed electrodes was performed, laying special emphasis on an improvement of the selectivity of reduction products. The effect of anions (Cl-, Br-, I-) intentionally added to a KHCO3 blank solution on the selectivity was investigated The pulsed electrolysis was found to have a remarkable effect in enhancing hydrocarbonization reactions on Ag and Cy while little on Au. It is concluded that oxide surface formed during an anodic period may play a key role in the selectivity of reduction products of CO2.