Fixation of CO2 by electrocatalytic reduction and electropolymerization in ionic liquid-H2O solution.

The electrocatalytic synthesis of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) from carbon dioxide on a nanostructured (ns)TiO2 film electrode was investigated by controlled potential electrolysis in a solvent mixture of water and the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([EMI]BF4) at room temperature under ambient pressure. Under these conditions, the nsTiO2 film is remarkably efficient and selective for the electroreduction of CO2. The current efficiency for the formation of the electrolytic product is about 8-14% at -1.50 V (vs SCE). The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode in the electrochemical reduction of CO2 was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), and the probable electrode reaction mechanism is discussed.