CO2 electrochemical catalytic reduction with a highly active cobalt phthalocyanine

Molecular catalysts that combine high product selectivity and high current density for CO2 electrochemical reduction to CO or other chemical feedstocks are urgently needed. While earth-abundant metal-based molecular electrocatalysts with high selectivity for CO2 to CO conversion are known, they are characterized by current densities that are significantly lower than those obtained with solid-state metal materials. Here, we report that a cobalt phthalocyanine bearing a trimethyl ammonium group appended to the phthalocyanine macrocycle is capable of reducing CO2 to CO in water with high activity over a broad pH range from 4 to 14. In a flow cell configuration operating in basic conditions, CO production occurs with excellent selectivity (ca. 95%), and good stability with a maximum partial current density of 165 mA cm−2 (at −0.92 V vs. RHE), matching the most active noble metal-based nanocatalysts. These results represent state-of-the-art performance for electrolytic carbon dioxide reduction by a molecular catalyst.
Molecular electrocatalysts reducing CO2 to CO with high selectivity and high rate are urgently needed. A cobalt phthalocyanine complex is capable of reducing CO2 to CO in water with a maximum partial current density up to 165 mA cm−2, matching the most active noble metal-based nanocatalysts.