Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical production of formic acid are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may introduce water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. The first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce carbon dioxide to a second compartment of the electrochemical cell. The second compartment may include a solution of an electrolyte and a cathode. The cathode is selected from the group consisting of indium, lead, tin, cadmium, and bismuth. The second compartment may include a pH of between approximately 4 and 7. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode in the electrochemical cell sufficient to reduce the carbon dioxide to formic acid. Step (D) may maintain a concentration of formic acid in the second compartment at or below approximately 500 ppm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide using advanced aromatic amine heterocyclic catalysts are disclosed. A method for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may introduce water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. Said first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce carbon dioxide to a second compartment of said electrochemical cell. Said second compartment may include a solution of an electrolyte, a catalyst, and a cathode. Said catalyst may include at least two aromatic amine heterocycles that are at least one of (a) fused or (b) configured to become electronically conjugated upon one electron reduction. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in said electrochemical cell sufficient for said cathode to reduce said carbon dioxide to a product mixture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for gas phase electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide are disclosed. A method for gas phase electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (C). Step (A) may include introducing a substantially gas phase fuel to an anode flow field of an anode of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Said anode may be a gas diffusion electrode. Step (B) may include introducing a substantially gas phase carbon dioxide to a cathode flow field of a cathode of said PEM fuel cell. Said cathode may be a chemically modified gas diffusion electrode including a coating of a polymer aromatic amine. Step (C) may include reducing at least a portion of said substantially gas phase carbon dioxide to a product mixture at said cathode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electrochemical production of urea are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (B). Step (A) may introduce carbon dioxide and NOx to a solution of an electrolyte and a heterocyclic catalyst in an electrochemical cell. The divided electrochemical cell may include an anode in a first cell compartment and a cathode in a second cell compartment. The cathode may reduce the carbon dioxide and the NOx into a first sub-product and a second sub-product, respectively. Step (B) may combine the first sub-product and the second sub-product to produce urea.