Electrochemical CO2 reduction with power generation in SOFCs with Cu-added LSCF–GDC cathode

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit was constructed with Ni–GDC (gadolinia-doped ceria) as the anode, YSZ as the electrolyte, and Cu-added La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ–GDC as the cathode. Electrochemical CO2 reduction occurs. The CO formation rate, the CO2 conversion and the generated current density increase with increasing CO2 concentration and temperature. The CO2 conversion rate equals exactly the CO formation rate. No carbon deposition occurs. The activation energy is 2.72 kcal mol−1. The electrochemical CO2 reduction (dissociation) can have much lower activation barrier than the catalytic one. Simultaneous CO2 reduction with power generation in SOFCs can be feasible.