Enhanced conversion of chemisorbed co2 in aminebased electrochemical systems

An electrochemical process for conversion of CO2 into value-added products comprising CO, the process comprising:

• contacting CO2 with an amine-based capture solution to chemically absorb CO2 and produce an amine-CO2 electrolyte solution comprising a carbamate;
• and
• electrolysing the carbamate into the value-added products by contacting the amine-CO2 electrolyte solution with a working electrode under applied current density in presence of alkali cations to form a product mixture comprising carbon monoxide (CO) and an amine;
• wherein the alkali cations are selected to modify an electrochemical double layer (EDL) at a surface of the working electrode and thereby enhance electron transfer to the carbamate.

An electrochemical system for conversion of chemisorbed CO2 into CO, the system comprising:

• a cathodic compartment for containing an amine-CO2 catholyte solution comprising an amine-CO2 adduct and alkali cations;
• an anodic compartment for containing an anolyte solution;
• a cathode being provided in the cathodic compartment;
• an anode being provided in the anodic compartment;
• a reference electrode being provided in the cathodic compartment;
• a cation exchange cation membrane being provided between the anodic compartment and the cathodic compartment to control ion exchange therebetween;
• an alkali addition unit having an outlet in fluid communication with a liquid inlet of the cathodic compartment to provide the alkali ions therein;
• and
• a power source to provide electrical current at an applied current density and sustain electrolysis of the amine-CO2 adduct from the amine-CO2 catholyte solution;
• wherein the alkali cations are selected to disrupt an electrochemical double layer (EDL) at a surface of the cathode during electrolysis of the amine-CO2 adduct, and enhance electron transfer to the amine-CO2 adduct for production of CO.