To mitigate the environmental impact of relying on fossil fuels and to identify viable, clean, and sustainable energy solutions, recent research efforts at ESI are focused on the development of catalyst for water splitting and CO₂ reduction reaction (CO2RR) catalysts. In this context, various synthesis platforms at ESI are being utilized to efficiently reduce CO₂ emissions through electrolysis, converting CO₂ gas into valuable products. By analyzing the composition of the produced gases, the efficiency and effectiveness of the electrolysis system can be evaluated, monitored, and optimized.

Gas chromatograph (GC)-Multigas 5 TCD-FID/ Methanizer SRI 8610C, SRI Instruments GmbH; Germany accompanied by Hydrogen generator- HG Basic. The HydroGen series HG BASIC (LNI Swissgas) is able to generate up to 700 cc/min of hydrogen with a purity better than 99.9999% and pressure up to 10 bar (145 psi). The HG BASIC is maintenance-free unit added to GC that includes a new long life multilayer electrolytic cell with polymeric membrane that operates using distilled water. It includes an innovative drying system that ensures protection for the GC. The touch-screen LCD interface provides simple and user-friendly management of all functions on the unit.

GC is a technique used to provide precise measurements of gas composition and concentration, enabling the identification of electrolysis products such as CO, CO₂, H₂, methane, ethene, and other gases.

The gas analysis is carried out by GC equipped with a methanizer, Flame ionization detector (FID) and Thermal Conductivity detector (TDI). FID detects changes in carrier gas flow of general hydrocarbon analysis, with a detection range from 0.1ppm to almost 100%. The TCD detector measures the difference in thermal conductivity in the carrier gas flow and the analyte peaks using gasses as nitrogen, argon, or hydrogen.

GC is used in tandem with the half- flow electrochemical cell consisting of a base in which the carbon paper is layer in, below the membrane filled with the electrolyte. Counter electrode and reference electrode are in contact with the electrolyte and the working electrode connected to the base that is fabricated at ESI. A constant flow through the base ensures the contact with the gas for electrochemical conversion and further analysis by GC.

This real-time feedback enables loop back between the catalyst’s synthesis and optimization, leading to increased efficiency and Faradaic yield for CO2RR.