Electrochemical CO2 reduction at room temperature: Status and perspectives. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Senocrate, Alessandro; Battaglia, Corsin
• Is Part Of: Journal of energy storage. Volume 36(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.3126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2021.102373
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-152X

Abstract

Highlights: Electrochemical CO2 reduction into fuels can potentially decarbonize our society. Converting CO2 at room temperature requires efficient, cheap and durable catalysts. Liquid-liquid electrolyzers reduce dissolved CO2 with limited current densities. Gas diffusion electrodes can convert CO2 gas with much higher current densities. Abstract: Electrochemical CO2 reduction is emerging as a highly promising technology for the decarbonisation of our society. CO2 electrolyzers converting intermittent renewable electricity from solar and wind into synthetic fuels also represent an effective long-term energy storage solution for balancing the seasonal mismatch between energy demand and supply. This perspective summarizes recent advances on electrochemical CO2 conversion using single CO2 electrolyzers operating at room temperature. Particular attention will be dedicated to electrolyzers employing gas diffusion electrodes, as their implementation has significantly shortened the gap from laboratory scale to applications.