Sustainable at both ends: electrochemical CO2 utilization paired with electrochemical treatment of nitrogenous waste

Abstract

We discuss the environmental and energetic benefits of coupling nitrogenous waste treatment with the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to value-added products via direct reduction or electrocarboxylation. In particular, we demonstrate that co-electrolysis of urea or ammonia with CO₂ requires significantly lower cell voltages than CO₂ electrolyzers relying on the oxygen evolution reaction as an anodic process.