{"title":"Development of electrolysis systems for ambient temperature CO2 reduction","authors":"Fu-Zhi Li , Hai-Gang Qin , Jun Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.enchem.2025.100156","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrochemical CO<sub>2</sub> reduction reaction (CO<sub>2</sub>RR) at ambient temperature holds great promise as a technology for storing intermittent and fluctuating renewable electricity while producing valuable carbon-containing feedstocks. As such, it has the potential to play a crucial role in closing the carbon cycle. Over the past decade, extensive research has focused on developing catalysts that enhance selectivity and reduce the overpotential of CO<sub>2</sub>RR. However, further attention should be directed towards the design of electrolyzers and integrated systems to achieve high current densities, improved energy efficiency, carbon efficiency, and stability. This review categorizes electrolysis systems into H-cells, gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-based flow cells, and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). In H-cells, the relatively low solubility of CO<sub>2</sub> in aqueous electrolytes limits current density, and strategies to enhance CO<sub>2</sub> mass transport are discussed. For GDE-based flow cells, strategies to maintain the hydrophobicity of GDEs are examined. Additionally, the impact of pH and alkali cations on energy efficiency, carbon efficiency, and anti-flooding performance is reviewed. MEAs with anion exchange membranes, cation exchange membranes, bipolar membranes, and solid-state electrolytes are introduced, with an exploration of the challenges associated with each type. Furthermore, tandem systems for CO<sub>2</sub><sub><img></sub>CO<img>C<sub>2+</sub> conversion are presented, including single cells incorporating two types of catalysts and cascades of two individual cells for CO<sub>2</sub>RR to CO and CO reduction, respectively. Finally, the review outlines future directions for CO<sub>2</sub>RR electrolysis systems and highlights the potential contributions of operando technologies and theoretical simulations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":307,"journal":{"name":"EnergyChem","volume":"7 3","pages":"Article 100156"},"PeriodicalIF":22.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"EnergyChem","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589778025000132","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) at ambient temperature holds great promise as a technology for storing intermittent and fluctuating renewable electricity while producing valuable carbon-containing feedstocks. As such, it has the potential to play a crucial role in closing the carbon cycle. Over the past decade, extensive research has focused on developing catalysts that enhance selectivity and reduce the overpotential of CO2RR. However, further attention should be directed towards the design of electrolyzers and integrated systems to achieve high current densities, improved energy efficiency, carbon efficiency, and stability. This review categorizes electrolysis systems into H-cells, gas diffusion electrode (GDE)-based flow cells, and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). In H-cells, the relatively low solubility of CO2 in aqueous electrolytes limits current density, and strategies to enhance CO2 mass transport are discussed. For GDE-based flow cells, strategies to maintain the hydrophobicity of GDEs are examined. Additionally, the impact of pH and alkali cations on energy efficiency, carbon efficiency, and anti-flooding performance is reviewed. MEAs with anion exchange membranes, cation exchange membranes, bipolar membranes, and solid-state electrolytes are introduced, with an exploration of the challenges associated with each type. Furthermore, tandem systems for CO2COC2+ conversion are presented, including single cells incorporating two types of catalysts and cascades of two individual cells for CO2RR to CO and CO reduction, respectively. Finally, the review outlines future directions for CO2RR electrolysis systems and highlights the potential contributions of operando technologies and theoretical simulations.
期刊介绍:
EnergyChem, a reputable journal, focuses on publishing high-quality research and review articles within the realm of chemistry, chemical engineering, and materials science with a specific emphasis on energy applications. The priority areas covered by the journal include:Solar energy,Energy harvesting devices,Fuel cells,Hydrogen energy,Bioenergy and biofuels,Batteries,Supercapacitors,Electrocatalysis and photocatalysis,Energy storage and energy conversion,Carbon capture and storage