An electrochemical electrode comprising a tin-based catalyst, method of making, and method of use are provided. Catalyst particles are prepared which comprise tin deposits of about 0.1 nm to about 10 nm deposited onto carbon support. Preparing an ink comprising the catalyst particles and a binder enable an electrode to be prepared comprising the catalyst particles bound to an electrode substrate. The electrode may then be used in an apparatus and process to reduce carbon dioxide to products such as formate and formic acid at Faradaic Efficiencies up to 95 percent.

Various embodiments include a system for carbon dioxide electrolysis comprising: an anode and a cathode both connected to a voltage supply, wherein the cathode comprises a gas diffusion electrode adjoined by a gas space and a cathode space; an electrolyte circuit; a gas supply delivering carbon dioxide to the gas space; wherein the gas space has an outlet for an electrolyte, carbon dioxide, and product gases produced by electrolysis; a return connection connecting the outlet to the gas supply; and a pump for circulation of carbon dioxide and product gas in the gas space and the return connection.

The present disclosure is a method and system for the reduction of carbon dioxide. The method may include receiving hydrogen gas at an anolyte region of an electrochemical cell including an anode, the anode including a gas diffusion electrode, receiving an anolyte feed at an anolyte region of the electrochemical cell, and receiving a catholyte feed including carbon dioxide and an alkali metal bicarbonate at a catholyte region of the electrochemical cell including a cathode. The method may include applying an electrical potential between the anode and cathode sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to at least one reduction product.

The device for electrochemically synthesizing intermediate species of a chemical entity which comprises an electrochemical oxidation cell including a first working electrode and a first counter electrode, capable, when these first electrodes are subject to an electric potential, of generating the intermediate species by oxidation of a solution introduced into the electrochemical oxidation cell and comprising the chemical entity, and an electrochemical stabilization cell including a second working electrode and a second counter electrode respectively distinct from the first working electrode and counter electrode, capable, when these second electrodes are subject to an electric potential, of achieving reduction of a solution. The stabilization cell is connected in series to the oxidation cell so as to allow continuous reduction of the intermediate species generated in the oxidation cell. Applications can be in the pharmaceutical, agri-food and environment fields.

A reduction electrode of an embodiment includes a metal base material and a plurality of metal nanowires provided on the metal base material. The plurality of metal nanowires include metal nanowires whose average height of contour curve of surface is 20 nm or less for 50% or more in a number ratio. The plurality of metal nanowires are formed by reducing a plurality of metal oxides each having a nanowire shape formed on the metal base material by an electrochemical reduction method. A reduction process of the metal oxides includes a first process of passing a current under a constant current condition where an absolute value is 5 mA/cm.sup.2 or more through the plurality of metal oxides, and a second process of passing a current under a constant potential condition through the plurality of metal oxides.

Various embodiments include a method for preparing propanol, propionaldehyde, and/or propionic acid comprising: electrolyzing CO2 to give CO and C2H4; and reacting the CO and C2H4 with H2 to produce propanol and/or propionaldehyde, and/or reacting the CO and C2H4 with H2O to produce propionic acid.

An electrochemical reaction device includes: an electrolytic solution tank including a first storage part storing a first electrolytic solution and a second storage part storing a second electrolytic solution; a reduction electrode immersed in the first electrolytic solution; and an oxidation electrode immersed in the second electrolytic solution. The second electrolytic solution contains a substance to be oxidized. The first electrolytic solution has a first liquid phase containing water and a second liquid phase containing an organic solvent and being in contact with the first liquid phase. At least one liquid phase of the first liquid phase or the second liquid phase contains a substance to be reduced and is in contact with the reduction electrode.

The disclosure relates generally to improved methods for the reduction of carbon dioxide. The disclosure relates more specifically to catalytic methods for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide that can be operated at commercially viable voltages and at low overpotentials. The disclosure uses a transition metal dichalcogenide and helper catalyst in contact within the cell.

Various embodiments may include a system for carbon dioxide electrolysis comprising: an anode; a cathode including a gas diffusion electrode adjoined by a gas space and a cathode space; an electrolyte circuit; a gas supply delivering carbon dioxide-containing gas to the gas space, wherein the gas space includes an outlet for an electrolyte, carbon dioxide, and product gases resulting from the electrolysis; and a throttle connecting the outlet to the electrolyte circuit, wherein the throttle creates a predefined pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space when a mixture of product gases and liquid electrolyte flows through the throttle.

Various embodiments include a system for carbon dioxide electrolysis comprising: an electrolysis cell having an anode and a cathode comprising a gas diffusion electrode adjoined by a gas space and a cathode space; an electrolyte circuit adjoining the electrolysis cell; a gas supply for supplying carbon dioxide-containing gas to the gas space, the gas space including an electrolyte outlet; and a shutoff device for the electrolyte outlet, wherein the shutoff device opens when a pressure differential between the gas space and the cathode space exceeds a threshold value.