Integrating salen complexes into gas diffusion electrodes for CO2 electroreduction: considerations for employing molecular precatalysts in heterogeneous electrolyzers

CC BY 4.0Feldman, Dana M.Dana M.FeldmanSuhr, Simon C. B.Simon C. B.SuhrZimmermann, IgorIgorZimmermannPellumbi, KevinjeorjiosKevinjeorjiosPellumbiWiesner, WiebkeWiebkeWiesnerSanden, Sebastian A.Sebastian A.SandenHolland, Patrick L.Patrick L.HollandApfel, Ulf-PeterUlf-PeterApfel2025-11-042025-11-042025https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/498092https://doi.org/10.24406/publica-600810.1039/d5cc03236a10.24406/publica-6008Transition metal salen complexes (Co, Ni, Cu) are studied as precatalysts for CO2-to-CO electroreduction in zero-gap electrolyzers. Performance depends strongly on metal choice and electrode characteristics. XPS, UV-Vis, comparisons to simple metal salts, and a RHE-ZGE half-cell setup shed light on precatalyst decomposition and inform methodologies for molecular electrocatalyst heterogenization.encopperDiffusion in gasesElectrocatalystselectrodesElectrolytic cellsIntegrating salen complexes into gas diffusion electrodes for CO2 electroreduction: considerations for employing molecular precatalysts in heterogeneous electrolyzersjournal article