Anodic reactions matter for cathodic electrocarboxylation with CO2

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) electrocarboxylation presents a promising solution for converting harmful emissions into valuable products, which aligns with the broader goal of establishing a sustainable, carbon-neutral economy. The field has seen significant progress in the electrochemical synthesis of carboxylic acids and related compounds, which are widely used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. This review emphasizes the primary obstacles hindering the practical application of electrocarboxylation, most notably the reliance on sacrificial anodes and the inefficiencies associated with traditional reactor designs. It provides a discussion of recent progress and innovative strategies aimed at overcoming these barriers. Specifically, the review examines sacrificial-anode methods and the challenges they pose, such as the need for frequent replenishment and issues with cathode passivation. It also explores strategies for avoiding anode consumption, which include using electrolytes or additives as sacrificial agents and employing paired electrolysis. Furthermore, the potential of microfluidic reactors in enhancing the efficiency of CO₂ electrocarboxylation is highlighted, given their capacity to offer precise control over reaction conditions. The review concludes with a perspective on the future of the field by identifying areas that are ripe for additional research and development to ensure the industrial viability of CO₂ electrocarboxylation.