Water-Soluble Manganese Complex for Selective Electrocatalytic CO₂ Reduction to CO

Abstract

Relatively few solution electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction in aqueous solutions are reported. However, to be sustainable, electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is likely to be coupled to water oxidation in a complete device. Here we report a water-soluble Mn polypyridyl complex for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO. This complex shows activity across a broad pH range and an excellent selectivity at pH 9 (3.8:1, CO/H2). Cyclic voltammetry indicates activity across a range of different electrode materials (boron-doped diamond, glassy carbon, and Hg/Au amalgams).