Volume 60, Issue 38 pp. 20627-20648
Review

Advances and Challenges for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to CO: From Fundamentals to Industrialization

Dr. Song Jin

Dr. Song Jin

Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Zhimeng Hao

Zhimeng Hao

Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China

These authors contributed equally to this work.

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Prof. Kai Zhang

Prof. Kai Zhang

Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China

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Dr. Zhenhua Yan

Corresponding Author

Dr. Zhenhua Yan

Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China

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Prof. Jun Chen

Corresponding Author

Prof. Jun Chen

Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials Chemistry, Renewable Energy Conversion and Storage Center, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071 China

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First published: 16 April 2021
Citations: 370

Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Chemistry at Nankai University

Graphical Abstract

The selective electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO provides a promising approach to realize a sustainable, carbon-neutral economy. This Review gives a comprehensive overview focusing on catalyst and electrolyte design, and their integration with electrolyzer technology towards industrial implementation. The current challenges in the commercial use of CO2 electrolysis to generate CO are also presented to enable future developments.

Abstract

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) provides an attractive approach to convert renewable electricity into fuels and feedstocks in the form of chemical bonds. Among the different CO2RR pathways, the conversion of CO2 into CO is considered one of the most promising candidate reactions because of its high technological and economic feasibility. Integrating catalyst and electrolyte design with an understanding of the catalytic mechanism will yield scientific insights and promote this technology towards industrial implementation. Herein, we give an overview of recent advances and challenges for the selective conversion of CO2 into CO. Multidimensional catalyst and electrolyte engineering for the CO2RR are also summarized. Furthermore, recent studies on the large-scale production of CO are highlighted to facilitate industrialization of the electrochemical reduction of CO2. To conclude, the remaining technological challenges and future directions for the industrial application of the CO2RR to generate CO are highlighted.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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