Long-term electrochemical CO2 reduction via electrode regeneration

Abstract

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (eCO 2 RR) offers a direct route to convert waste carbon into fuels and commodity chemicals using renewable electricity, but industrial translation is ultimately constrained by durability under high-rate operation. At practical current densities, performance losses rarely stem from a single failure mode. Instead, catalyst reconstruction and corrosion, impurity-driven poisoning, electrolyte flooding, and carbonate salt precipitation interact to undermine activity, selectivity, and stability. This Feature Article outlines the dominant electrodelevel degradation pathways and then critically assesses regeneration strategies that restore performance without replacing electrodes. We discuss redox-based catalyst reactivation and renewal, hydrophobicity recovery to re-establish stable gas transport pathways, and localenvironment reset protocols that dissolve or prevent salt buildup. Together, these approaches reposition regeneration as an integral design standard for long-term CO 2 electrolysis systems compatible with intermittent renewable power.