Electrochemical Characterization of Electrodeposited Copper in Amine CO2 Capture Media

TL;DR

This study examines how different amines affect the stability of copper catalysts in electrochemical CO2 reduction, finding that primary amines like MEA are more compatible than tertiary amines like MDEA.

Contribution

The study introduces insights into the corrosion behavior of copper in various amine media and demonstrates the benefits of pulse ECR strategies for stability.

Findings

MEA shows the highest corrosion rate but remains within acceptable limits for ECR operations.

Primary amines like MEA resist carbonate salt precipitation and maintain long-term stability.

Pulse ECR strategies reduce deposit formation and stabilize cathodic potential.

Abstract

This study explores the stability of electrodeposited copper catalysts utilized in electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) across various amine media. The focus is on understanding the influence of different amine types, corrosion ramifications, and the efficacy of pulse ECR methodologies. Employing a suite of electrochemical techniques including potentiodynamic polarization, linear resistance polarization, cyclic voltammetry, and chronopotentiometry, the investigation reveals useful insights. The findings show that among the tested amines, CO2-rich monoethanolamine (MEA) exhibits the highest corrosion rate. However, in most cases, the rates remain within tolerable limits for ECR operations. Primary amines, notably monoethanolamine (MEA), show enhanced compatibility with ECR processes, attributable to their resistance against carbonate salt precipitation and sustained stability over extended durations. Conversely, tertiary amines such as methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) present challenges due to the formation of carbonate salts during ECR, impeding their effective utilization. This study highlights the effectiveness of pulse ECR strategies in stabilizing ECR. A noticeable shift in cathodic potential and reduced deposit formation on the catalyst surface through periodic oxidation underscores the efficacy of such strategies. These findings offer insights for optimizing ECR in amine media, thereby providing promising pathways for advancements in CO2 emission reduction technologies.

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