HYDROGENATION OF CO2 ON THE CATHODIZED TUNGSTEN TRIOXIDE POLYANILINE POLYVINYLSULFATE-MODIFIED ELECTRODE IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION/

A tungsten trioxide (WO3)/polyaniline (PAn)/polyvinylsulfate (PVS)-mod ified electrode has been characterized by the in situ FTIR reflection spectroscopic method, and applied to the electroreduction of CO2 in aq ueous solution. Carbon dioxide is hydrogenated through the reaction wi th the adsorbed hydrogen atoms generated on the cathodized electrode, and the reduction intermediates (COOHads, CHOads) are reoxidized at th e potentials close to the first and second oxidation potentials of PAn . The prolonged potentiostatic reduction of CO2 led to the formation o f lactic acid, formic acid, ethanol, and methanol under low overpotent ial. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.