Carbon dioxide electrolytic device and method of electrolyzing carbon dioxide

Abstract

A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises: an electrolysis cell including a first electrode having a first catalyst to reduce carbon dioxide, a second electrode having a second catalyst to oxidize water or hydroxide ions, a first electrode flow path facing the first electrode, a second electrode flow path facing the second electrode, and a separator separating the first and second electrodes; a power controller; a first flow path through which the carbon dioxide flows; a second flow path through which the carbon compound flows; a third flow path through which an electrolytic solution containing the water flows; a fourth flow path through which the oxygen flows; a first valve to connect the first electrode flow path and the first flow path; a second valve to connect the first electrode flow path and the second flow path; a tank connected to the first electrode flow path and configured to store a rinse solution; and a controller programmed to control opening and closing of the first and second valves in accordance with performance requirements of the electrolysis cell.