Nanoporous anodic alumina-based gas diffusion layers for the electroreduction of CO2

Abstract

The manufacture of a novel type of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) for the electroreduction of CO2, based on nanoporous anodic alumina gas diffusion layers (GDLs), is described. The GDE consists of an array of aligned pores hydrophobised via silanisation, on top of which a layer of a silver or copper catalyst was deposited. The versatility of the fabrication method allows for controlled pore apertures on both sides of the membrane and controlled thickness, further enabling the tailoring of the GDLs' properties to a given type of catalyst.