Coupling electrochemical CO2 reduction with value-added anodic oxidation reactions: progress and challenges

Abstract

Converting CO₂ into chemicals using renewable electricity provides a promising avenue to realize carbon neutrality. Substituting the anodic oxygen evolution reaction by thermodynamically more favourable oxidation reactions with value-added products can significantly lower the cell voltage and enhance the output value of overall CO₂ electrolysis. In this review, we summarize the up-to-date breakthroughs in electrochemical systems featuring the CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) coupled with various anodic oxidation reactions. Moreover, major challenges with possible solutions and future prospects in this field are pointed out, which are expected to benefit researchers and propel this coupling strategy to industrial applications.