An Analysis of Research on Membrane-Coated Electrodes in the 2001–2019 Period: Potential Application to CO2 Capture and Utilization

Abstract

The chemistry and electrochemistry basic fields have been active for the last two decades of the past century studying how the modification of the electrodes’ surface by coating with conductive thin films enhances their electrocatalytic activity and sensitivity. In light of the development of alternative sustainable ways of energy storage and carbon dioxide conversion by electrochemical reduction, these research studies are starting to jump into the 21st century to more applied fields such as chemical engineering, energy and environmental science, and engineering. The huge amount of literature on experimental works dealing with the development of CO2 electroreduction processes addresses electrocatalyst development and reactor configurations. Membranes can help with understanding and controlling the mass transport limitations of current electrodes as well as leading to novel reactor designs. The present work makes use of a bibliometric analysis directed to the papers published in the 21st century on membrane-coated electrodes and electrocatalysts to enhance the electrochemical reactor performance and their potential in the urgent issue of carbon dioxide capture and utilization.

Considering the Influence of Polymer–Catalyst Interactions on the Chemical Microenvironment of Electrocatalysts for the CO2 Reduction Reaction

“…One method to improve selectivity for specific CO 2 RR products while maintaining high activity is to use membrane-coated electrocatalysts (MCECs). Our group and others have reviewed the impacts of MCECs on the CO 2 RR, which include preventing catalyst poisoning, improving substrate concentration near the electrode, and promoting selective transport of substrate, products, or both. − Another strategy for developing highly active and selective electrocatalysts is the heterogenization of traditionally homogeneous molecular catalysts . A specific case is that of heterogenized molecular catalysts incorporated within a MCEC film via 3D and extended structures, such as a metal–organic framework (MOF) or porous polymer, where the formation of chemically linked, rigid networks also has the benefit of reducing catalyst aggregation. , …”