Formic acid generation apparatus and method

A method for generating formic acid by reducing carbon dioxide, the method comprising:

• (a) preparing a formic acid generation apparatus comprising:
• a cathode container storing a first electrolyte solution containing consisting of carbon dioxide, water and a first electrolyte:
• an anode container storing a second electrolyte solution;
• a solid electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the cathode container and the anode container;
• a cathode electrode provided in the cathode container so as to be in contact with the first electrolyte solution, the cathode electrode having a gallium oxide region on a surface thereof;
• an anode electrode provided in the anode container so as to be in contact with the second electrolyte solution;
• and
• an external power supply for applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively;
• and
• (b) after (a), applying a negative voltage and a positive voltage to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, respectively, using the external power supply to generate formic acid on the cathode electrode using the first electrolyte solution.