Electrified CO2 valorization in emerging nanotechnologies: a technical analysis of gas feedstock purity and nanomaterials in electrocatalytic and bio-electrocatalytic CO2 conversion

Abstract

Engineered nanomaterials that catalyze the transformation of waste carbon dioxide (CO₂) into value-added products are crucial to mitigate climate change and enable a new circular carbon economy. Gas separations are expected to be a major cost barrier to CO₂ conversion scalability, but the importance of feedstock purity is yet to be carefully evaluated in emerging nanotechnologies under environmentally relevant conditions. Here we assessed the performance of state-of-the-art electrocatalytic and bio-electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction nanomaterials under a range of influent CO₂ concentrations using data from recent publications. We quantitatively compared the activity of various electrocatalysts and discussed interactions at the nano-bio interface. Through this perspective, we developed initial life-cycle assessments and technoeconomic analyses for the integration of CO₂ conversion nanotechnologies with natural and engineered systems. Altogether this evaluation can inform innovative nanomaterial design and delivers useful insights towards a sustainable future without waste or pollution.