ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION OF CARBONATE SOLUTIONS AT LOW-TEMPERATURES

The electrochemical reduction of carbonate ions from an aqueous 5 M K2 CO3 solution to methane, ethylene, formaldehyde, methanol and other or ganic reaction products was achieved. Electrolyses were performed in c ells without a diaphragm at temperatures of -10 and -20 degrees C; the current density at the platinum anode was much higher than on the cat hode (from copper, platinum a.o, metals). It is assumed that the reduc tion takes place through the intermediate formation at the anode of pe rcarbonate ions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.