Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formic Acid

Abstract

This Review provides an overview of electrochemical techniques that are implemented in addressing gaseous CO2 towards the synthesis of a particular fuel (i.e. formic acid). The electrochemical reaction mechanism, as well as the advancement of electrodes, catalyst materials, and reactor designs are reviewed and discussed. To date, the electrolytic cell is the dominant reaction site and, based on which, various catalysts have been proposed and researched. In addition, relevant work regarding reactor design optimization for the purpose of alleviating restrictions of the current CO2 electrochemical reduction system are summarized, including low reactant‐transfer rate, high reaction overpotential, and low product selectivity. The use of microfluidic techniques to build microscale electrochemical reactors is identified to be highly promising to largely increase the electrochemical performance. Finally, future challenges and opportunities of electrochemical reduction of CO2 are discussed.

Electrochemical CO₂ Reduction – A Critical View on Fundamentals, Materials and Applications

“…As we mentioned above, formic acid and CO would be desirable products in CO 2 electroreduction. The catalytic materials selective for formate production are listed in a recent review article [71] and include: metallic Pb, Hg, In, Sn, [28,[72][73][74][75][76][77] Pd, [78,79] SnO 2 , [32,77,80] and metallo-organic complexes. [81] In order to reach sufficient current densities GDEs the CO 2 electrocatalytic reduction in the presence of organic ligands or metal complexes.…”

Surface structure and composition effects on electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide

“…This mini-review will only focus on the direct heterogeneous electrochemical reduction on solid catalysts. For other types of reduction methods, readers may refer to reviews [3,4,[11][12][13][14] by other researchers.…”

“…In these processes, CO 2 can be captured from centralized CO 2 emission sources like fossil fuel power plants, and then physically stored underground or in the deep oceans. However, this technology has been widely debated, as potential leakage may bring hazards, and storage is not regarded as a permanent way to control CO 2 concentration [3]. CO 2 conversion and utilization is another promising approach.…”

Semiconductor‐Based, Solar‐Driven Photochemical Cells for Fuel Generation from Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Solutions

“…[42] In addition, Park et al designedaphotocathode based on CuFeO 2 /CuO that enabled CO 2 reduction into formate even if it was coupled to ap assive Pt anode. [49][50][51][52] As an example, Bocarsly and co-workerss howedt he selectiver eduction of CO 2 to methanol by using pyridine as an organic cocatalyst with Pd or p-GaP electrodes. [44] The use of Cu x O y electrodes forC O 2 reduction at moderatep otentials has also been demonstrated.…”