Electrolytic Methane Production from Reactive Carbon Solutions

We report an electrochemical reactor that converts 3.0 M KHCO3 into methane at the cathode, and oxidizes water anode. The molar ratio of product to unreacted CO2 gas (defined herein as “methane yield”) was measured be 34% a partial current density 120 mA cm–2. highest previously reported CO2-to-methane yield is 3%. Our achieved this improvement in because it fed with KHCO3, type reactive carbon solution, rather than gaseous CO2. uses H+ delivered by bipolar membrane form cathode. This subsequently reduced methane. A cationic surfactant added catholyte suppressed hydrogen evolution increased formation. 1D continuum model confirmed from promotes formation over multicarbon products These findings present design principles for synthesis.