CO₂ capture and electrochemical conversion using superbasic [P₆₆₆₁₄][124Triz]

The ionic liquid trihexyltetradecylphosphonium 1,2,4-triazolide, [P₆₆₆₁₄][124Triz], has been shown to chemisorb CO₂ through equimolar binding of the carbon dioxide with the 1,2,4-triazolide anion. This leads to a possible new, low energy pathway for the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate and syngas at low overpotentials, utilizing this reactive ionic liquid media. Herein, an electrochemical investigation of water and carbon dioxide addition to the [P₆₆₆₁₄][124Triz] on gold and platinum working electrodes is reported. Electrolysis measurements have been performed using CO₂ saturated [P₆₆₆₁₄][124Triz] based solutions at -0.9 V and -1.9 V on gold and platinum electrodes. The effects of the electrode material on the formation of formate and syngas using these solutions are presented and discussed.