Development of catalysts and electrolyzers toward industrial-scale CO2 electroreduction

Abstract

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) has attracted significant research interest in recent years due to its potential to mitigate carbon emissions while providing valuable fuels and chemicals. The performance of the CO₂RR has been improved from tens of milliamperes per square centimeter to orders of magnitude higher, with selectivity approaching 100% for some products. This review will highlight the key development of the CO₂RR toward industrially relevant performance. We will first discuss the recent advances of electrocatalysts in refining the product's selectivity. A few representative electrocatalysts will be showcased, including metal-free catalysts, metal nanoparticles, and molecular catalysts and their derivatives. Then we will show the development of electrochemical cells for the CO₂RR, which play a pivotal role in achieving a current density of amperes per square centimeter. Specifically, using the flow electrolyzer has significantly improved the CO₂RR current densities compared to the conventional H-type cell. Lastly, we will provide perspectives on future development and challenges of the CO₂RR.