Device and method for reducing carbon dioxide

Abstract

A device for reducing carbon dioxide includes a vessel for holding an electrolyte solution including carbon dioxide, a working electrode and a counter electrode. The working electrode contains boron particles.

1 . A method for reducing carbon dioxide by using a device for reducing carbon dioxide, the method comprising:
 a step (a) of preparing the device, the device comprising:
 a vessel; 
 a working electrode, and 
 a counter electrode, wherein: 
 an electrolytic solution is held in the vessel, 
 the working electrode is composed of a conductive base material on which a boron particle is supported, 
 the counter electrode contains metal, 
 the boron is in contact with the electrolytic solution, 
 the metal is in contact with the electrolytic solution, and 
 the electrolytic solution contains the carbon dioxide; and 
   a step (b) of applying a voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode, thereby reducing the carbon dioxide contained in the electrolytic solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the vessel comprises a solid electrolyte membrane, and   the solid electrolyte membrane is interposed between the working electrode and the counter electrode.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step (b), the voltage applied between the working electrode and the counter electrode is not less than 2.0 volts. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step (b), at least one of methane, ethylene, ethan, and formic acid is generated. 
     
     
         5 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the conductive base material is a carbon paper, a noble-metal substrate, a glassy carbon substrate, or a conductive silicon substrate.