Patent ID: 8956990
Filing Date: 2015-02-17
Classification: B01J,C01B,C25B,G01N,H01M,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. An electrocatalyst mixture comprising at least one Catalytically Active Element active for converting carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to at least one reaction product and, as a separate constituent, at least one Helper Catalyst comprising an organic molecule, an organic ion or a mixture of organic molecules and organic ions, wherein a substance S is identifiable as a Helper Catalyst for an electrochemical reaction R that is catalyzed by a Catalytically Active Element M by applying a test comprising: filling a three-electrode electrochemical cell with an electrolyte E suitable for effectuating reaction R, said electrochemical cell comprising a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode; electrically connecting said Catalytically Active Element M to said working electrode and electrically connecting said working electrode to said counter electrode and to a source of electrical energy, thereby forming an electrical circuit; employing said reference electrode to measure a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) potential in said electrolyte E; loading at least one reactant for reaction R into said cell; measuring a cyclic voltammogram for reaction R to identify a potential of a peak associated with reaction R; calculating a difference V1 between RHE and an onset potential of said peak associated with reaction R; calculating a difference V1A between RHE and a maximum potential of said peak associated with reaction R; adding to said electrolyte E between 0.0001% and 99.9999% by weight of said Helper Catalyst; measuring an RHE potential in electrolyte E with said added Helper Catalyst; measuring a cyclic voltammogram of reaction R with said added Helper Catalyst; calculating a difference V2 between RHE and an onset potential of said peak associated with reaction R; calculating a difference V2A between RHE and a maximum potential of said peak associated with reaction R; determining whether V2<V1 or V2A<V1A at any concentration of said Helper Catalyst between 0.0001% and 99.9999%; and identifying substance S as said Helper Catalyst for reaction R at concentrations when V2<V1 or V2A<V1A.