Lignin Derived Carbon Electrodes for Hydrocarbon Formation by Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Biomass-derived carbon materials have attracted interest as metal-free electrode candidates for electrochemical reactions. Hydrocarbon formation (i.e., methane and ethane) using the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2ER) on as-synthesized sulfur (S) containing lignin derived carbon electrodes was demonstrated. The current efficiencies of hydrocarbon products by CO2ER were found to be dependent on the carbonized temperature and a thermal treatment scheme, resulting in different surface structures and chemical composition of S species.