Electrochemical CO2 reduction in solution with Ionic Liquids enables unique approaches for providing oxygen and methane from in situ resources to meet crew metabolic needs and for rocket propellant production. The experimental setup is capable of linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry (LSV and CV), constant potential/current electrolysis, and gaseous product analysis. We are currently investigating supported ionic liquid membranes to capture CO2, co-electrolysis to form methane and oxygen, and electrochemical reduction of CO2 to recover oxygen. These projects are supported by two NASA Space Technology Research Fellowships (NSTRF) and under the 2016-17 NASA eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) Challenge. Initial infrastructure development funding was provided in part by the William F. Marlar Memorial Foundation and the University of Colorado.
