Surface modified electrodes for electrochemical syngas production

Abstract

An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The electrode includes a metal substrate. A self-assembled monolayer is bonded to the metal substrate. A selectivity of reaction products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate.

1 . An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen comprising:
 a metal substrate;   a self-assembled monolayer bonded to the metal substrate;   
       wherein a selectivity of reaction products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate. 
     
     
         2 . The electrode of  claim 1  wherein the metal substrate is formed of a metal having a low carbon monoxide bonding strength. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode of  claim 2  wherein the metal substrate is selected from Au, Ag, Zn, Pd, and Ga. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode of  claim 1  wherein the self-assembled monolayer includes an organic ligand having a surface end having a reactive group bonded to the metal substrate and an opposing end including an organic functional group. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode of  claim 4  wherein the organic ligand has a length of from C2 to C20. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode of  claim 4  wherein the reactive group forms a covalent bond with the metal substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode of  claim 4  wherein the reactive group is a thiol group. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode of  claim 4  wherein the organic functional group is selected from CH 3 , OH, COOH and NH 2 . 
     
     
         9 . An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen comprising:
 a metal substrate;   a self-assembled monolayer bonded to the metal substrate, the self-assembled monolayer including an organic ligand having a surface end having a reactive group bonded to the metal substrate and an opposing end including an organic functional group;   
       wherein a selectivity of reaction products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode of  claim 9  wherein the metal substrate is selected from Au, Ag, Zn, Pd, and Ga. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode of  claim 10  wherein the organic ligand has a length of from C2 to C20. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode of  claim 11  wherein the reactive group is a thiol group and wherein the organic functional group is selected from CH 3 , OH, COOH and NH 2 . 
     
     
         13 . An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen comprising:
 a metal substrate;   a self-assembled monolayer bonded to the metal substrate;   
       wherein an activity of the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode of  claim 13  wherein the metal substrate is formed of a metal having a low carbon monoxide bonding strength. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode of  claim 14  wherein the metal substrate is selected from Au, Ag, Zn, Pd, and Ga. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode of  claim 13  wherein the self-assembled monolayer includes an organic ligand having a surface end having a reactive group bonded to the metal substrate and an opposing end including an organic functional group. 
     
     
         17 . The electrode of  claim 16  wherein the organic ligand has a length of from C2 to C20. 
     
     
         18 . The electrode of  claim 16  wherein the reactive group forms a covalent bond with the metal substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The electrode of  claim 16  wherein the reactive group is a thiol group. 
     
     
         20 . The electrode of  claim 16  wherein the organic functional group is selected from CH 3 , OH, COOH and NH 2 .