Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methane

Tuesday, June 23 2009

A room-temperature electrocatalytic process that effects the overall chemical reaction CO₂ + 2H₂O → CH₄ + 2O₂ has been investigated as a means of removing carbon dioxide from air and restoring oxygen to the air. The process was originally intended for use in a spacecraft life-support system, in which the methane would be vented to outer space. The process may also have potential utility in terrestrial applications in which either or both of the methane and oxygen produced might be utilized or vented to the atmosphere.

A typical cell used to implement the process includes a polymer solid-electrolyte membrane, onto which are deposited cathode and anode films. The cathode film is catalytic for electrolytic reduction of CO₂ at low overpotential. The anode film is typically made of platinum. When CO₂ is circulated past the cathode, water is circulated past the anode, and a suitable potential is applied, the anode half-cell reaction is 4H₂O → 2O₂ + 8H⁺ + 8e^–. The H⁺ ions travel through the membrane to the cathode, where they participate in the half-cell reaction CO₂ + 8H⁺ + 8e^–→CH₄ + 2H₂O.

This work was done by Anthony F. Sammells and Ella F. Spiegel of Eltron Research, Inc. for Johnson Space Center.
MSC-23097-1

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