Electrochemical Production of Butanol from Carbon Dioxide and Water

Abstract

Methods and systems for electrochemical production of butanol are disclosed. A method may include, but is not limited to, steps (A) to (D). Step (A) may introduce water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell. The first compartment may include an anode. Step (B) may introduce carbon dioxide to a second compartment of the electrochemical cell. The second compartment may include a solution of an electrolyte, a catalyst, and a cathode. Step (C) may apply an electrical potential between the anode and the cathode in the electrochemical cell sufficient for the cathode to reduce the carbon dioxide to a product mixture. Step (D) may separate butanol from the product mixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for electrochemical production of butanol, comprising:
 (A) introducing water to a first compartment of an electrochemical cell, said first compartment including an anode;   (B) introducing carbon dioxide to a second compartment of said electrochemical cell, said second compartment including a solution of an electrolyte, a catalyst, and a cathode;   (C) applying an electrical potential between said anode and said cathode in said electrochemical cell sufficient for said cathode to reduce said carbon dioxide to a product mixture; and   (D) separating butanol from said product mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said butanol includes at least one of 1-butanol or 2-butanol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said product mixture includes butanol and at least one of formic acid, acetic acid, methanol, ethanol, acetone, or propanol. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said solution of electrolyte includes potassium chloride. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where said catalyst includes at least one of imidazole, pyridine, or a substituted variant of imidazole or pyridine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said catalyst includes an approximately 400 mM concentration of imidazole. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cathode includes a cathode material for reducing said carbon dioxide to said product mixture, said cathode material including stainless steel.