Confinement of ionomer for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction via efficient mass transfer pathways

ABSTRACT Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) mediate the transport of reactants, products and electrons for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in membrane electrode assemblies. The random distribution ionomer, added by traditional physical mixing method, catalyst layer GDEs affects ions CO2. Such a phenomenon results elevated cell voltage decaying selectivity at high current densities. This paper describes pre-confinement method to construct with homogeneously distributed which enhances mass transfer locally active centers. optimized GDE exhibited comparatively low voltages CO Faradaic efficiencies (FE > 90%) wide range It can also operate stably over 220 h staying almost unchanged. good performance be preserved even diluted feeds, is essential pursuing single-pass conversion rate. study provides new approach building efficient pathways reactants promote CO2RR practical applications.