Influence of the Components of the Gas Diffusion Layer of a PEM Type Cell in the Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2

The electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 in the gas phase has been carried out in a PEM type cell. The influence of the support material of the macroporous substrate (MPS) and the binding agent used to join the catalytic layer (CL) with the MPS has been analyzed. Three types of carbon paper used as support for the MPS have been compared and the influence of the use of Nafion® as a binding agent has been analyzed. Toray 090 and Avcarb P75T have allowed similar results in the CO2 conversion rate to be obtained, although significant differences are observed regarding the selectivity of the process. Regarding the use of binding agent, it has been observed that it is essential to be able to carry out the electroreduction process and, although its concentration does not seem to greatly affect the rate of CO2 conversion, it does influence the selectivity of the process.