Challenges and Opportunities in Electrocatalytic CO₂Reduction to Chemicals and Fuels

Abstract

The global temperature increase must be limited to below 1.5 °C to alleviate the worst effects of climate change. Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction (ECO 2 R) to generate chemicals and feedstocks is considered one of the most promising technologies to cut CO 2 emission at an industrial level. However, despite decades of studies, advances at the laboratory scale have not yet led to high industrial deployment rates. This Review discusses practical challenges in the industrial chain that hamper the scaling-up deployment of the ECO 2 R technology. Faradaic efficiencies (FEs) of about 100 % and current densities above 200 mA cm À 2 have been achieved for the ECO 2 R to CO/HCOOH, and the stability of the electrolysis system has been prolonged to 2000 h. For ECO 2 R to C 2 H 4 , the maximum FE is over 80 %, and the highest current density has reached the A cm À 2 level. Thus, it is believed that ECO 2 R may have reached the stage for scale-up. We aim to provide insights that can accelerate the development of the ECO 2 R technology.

CoP2O6-Assisted Copper/Carbon Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to Formate

“…Electrochemical conversion of CO 2 can allow for a low energy input and has the characteristics of a mild reaction condition. − Electroreduction of CO 2 (CO 2 ER) can yield CO, formate, alcohol, olefin, alkane, and other hydrocarbons, depending on the reaction conditions. Therefore, electrochemical reduction of CO 2 is a topic that is of increasing interest to researchers. − Among the value-added products produced, HCOOH can be used as a simple source of H 2 , and the same volume of HCOOH can provide 580 times more H 2 for fuel cell applications than pure gaseous H 2 . , However, it is still a challenge to develop electrocatalysts with high HCOOH faradaic efficiency, high product selectivity, and a bias current density of corresponding products.…”

Emerging catalysts for the ambient synthesis of ethylene glycol from CO2 and its derivatives

“…For example, CO 2 could be converted by electrocatalysts into valuable chemicals like ethylene glycol to achieve zero emission of CO 2 . 19,20 Recently, many emerging photocatalysts and electrocatalysts have been developed for the ambient synthesis of EG from CO 2 and its derivatives such as CH 4 , CH 3 OH, and HCHO. 21,22 These processes with a net negative carbon emission footprint are milder than the conventional EG synthesis from the thermal-catalytic method.…”

Ultrafast Thermal Shock Synthesis and Porosity Engineering of 3D Hierarchical Cu–Bi Nanofoam Electrodes for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

“…Besides, there are opportunities to enhance the overall performance and stability of Bi-based electrocatalysts for a broader range of applications through the formation of dual-metallic alloys, which benefits from the synergetic effects . However, synthesizing these alloy materials often involves complex procedures to precisely adjust their nanostructure, which impede the reproducibility of large-scale production and result in excessive energy consumption. − Furthermore, many electrocatalysts have to be loaded onto electrode substrates such as carbon paper, glass carbon, and copper foam; the weak adhesion between the substrates and catalysts can result in detachment and instability . Hence, it is crucial to prepare free-standing electrodes integrated with nanomanufacturing.…”