Tuning bulk and interfacial electrolyte solvation to control electrochemical transformations

Dr. Chibueze Amanchukwu, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

The University of Chicago

Chicago, IL 60637

Electrochemical energy technologies such as batteries, water electrolysis, and carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide reduction (CO2RR/COR) are required for clean energy and to transform manufacturing. Across all these technologies, water is essential and can be a reactant and solvent. Carbon monoxide reduction (COR) to C2+ products such as ethylene (C2H4) exposes water’s undesirable dilemma: How might we enhance high selectivity for hydrogenated products such as C2H4 while suppressing undesired water breakdown to yield hydrogen? The challenges facing electrochemical devices could be solved if we improved our fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena at solid/liquid interfaces that then allows us to optimally control electrochemical transformations under applied potentials. Here, we propose to control water’s availability and solvation to control its reactivity in electrochemical transformations such as COR. To tune water’s behavior, we will remove its duality and confine it as solely a reactant. Coupling electrolyte solvation control with novel catalyst design that enhances carbon coupling will allow for selective and efficient COR to hydrogenated products. Fundamental insights generated from this work will enhance our understanding of bulk solvation effects and interfacial molecular sciences at the catalyst/electrolyte interface and provide a pathway for clean energy deployment and transformative future manufacturing.