We describe the realization of an electrolyzer for the electroreduction
of CO2 to useful hydrocarbons and carboxylates
such as CH4, C2H4, and HCOO-. The device uses a molecular
copper phthalocyanine-based cathode, an anion exchange
membrane, and a nanostructured Pd@Ti anode. The key advantage
of this device is the exploitation of anodic alcohol
oxidation instead of water oxidation. The lower operating
cell potential due to the presence of ethanol leads to a net
reduction in energy consumption, from 130 kWh to 77 kWh
(per kg of hydrocarbon product mixture), in comparison to
the cell operating with oxygen evolution.
