An electrochemical device converts
carbon dioxide to a
formic acid reaction product. The device includes an
anode and a
cathode, each comprising a quantity of catalyst. The
anode and
cathode each have reactant introduced thereto. Two membranes, a cation exchange
polymer electrolyte membrane and an anion exchange
polymer electrolyte membrane, are interposed between the
anode and the
cathode, forming a central flow compartment where a
carbon dioxide reduction product, such as
formic acid, can be recovered. At least a portion of the
cathode catalyst is directly exposed to gaseous
carbon dioxide during
electrolysis. The
average current density at the membrane is at least 20 mA / cm2, measured as the area of the cathode
gas diffusion layer that is covered by catalyst, and
formate ion selectivity is at least 50% at a
cell potential difference of 3.0 V. In some embodiments, at least one
polymer electrolyte membrane comprises a polymer in which a constituent
monomer is (p-vinylbenzyl)-R, where R is selected from the group consisting of imidazoliums, pyridiniums and phosphoniums. In some embodiments, the polymer electrolyte membrane is a Helper Membrane comprising a polymer containing an imidazolium ligand, a
pyridinium ligand, or a
phosphonium ligand.