Carbon-efficient carbon dioxide electrolysis

Abstract

Amid the pressing global imperative to combat climate change and transition towards sustainable energy sources, the advent of carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2R) is a transformative technological innovation with multifaceted potential. This groundbreaking technology holds the capacity to address several concurrent global challenges. By harnessing renewable energy to convert carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals, CO2R provides a promising avenue to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, optimize the utilization of renewable energy resources, and foster the development of a sustainable circular economy. Currently, the practical viability of CO2R is constrained by the substantial energy expenditures associated with the chemical reactions involving CO2 and hydroxide, leading to the formation of carbonates and the subsequent regeneration of reactants. This article is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of strategies aimed at addressing these specific challenges. The proposed solutions revolve around the concepts of material design and system design, with the overarching goal of further advancing the industrialization of CO2R technology.