Advanced systems for enhanced CO2 electroreduction

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) electroreduction has extraordinary significance in curbing CO₂ emissions while simultaneously producing value-added chemicals with economic and environmental benefits. In recent years, breakthroughs in designing catalysts, optimizing intrinsic activity, developing reactors, and elucidating reaction mechanisms have continuously driven the advancement of CO₂ electroreduction. However, the industrialization of CO₂ electroreduction remains a challenging task, with high energy consumption, high costs, limited reaction products, and restricted application scenarios being the issues that urgently need to be addressed. To accelerate the progress of CO₂ electroreduction towards practical application, this review shifts the research focus from catalysts to aspects such as reactions and systems, aiming to improve reaction efficiency, reduce technical costs, expand the range of products, and enhance selectivity, offering readers a new perspective. In particular, innovative and specific design strategies such as CO₂ reduction coupled with alternative oxidation, co-reduction reaction of CO₂ and C/N/O/S-containing species, cascade systems, and integrated CO₂ capture and reduction systems are discussed in detail. Additionally, personal views on the opportunities and future challenges of the aforementioned innovative strategies are provided, offering new insights for the future research and development of CO₂ electroreduction.