Photonic Curing: Activation and Stabilization of Metal Membrane Catalysts (MMCs) for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2

Efficient CO2 electroreduction on facet-selective copper films with high conversion rate

Tuning the facet exposure of Cu could promote the multi-carbon (C2+) products formation in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Here we report the design and realization of a dynamic deposition-etch-bombardment method for Cu(100) facets control without using capping agents and polymer binders. The synthesized Cu(100)-rich films lead to a high Faradaic efficiency of 86.5% and a full-cell electricity conversion efficiency of 36.5% towards C2+ products in a flow cell. By further scaling up the electrode into a 25 cm² membrane electrode assembly system, the overall current can ramp up to 12 A while achieving a single-pass yield of 13.2% for C2+ products. An insight into the influence of Cu facets exposure on intermediates is provided by in situ spectroscopic methods supported by theoretical calculations. The collected information will enable the precise design of CO₂ reduction reactions to obtain desired products, a step towards future industrial CO₂ refineries.

Regulation of Cu facets to promote electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction is interesting and challenging. Here the authors describe a deposition-etch-bombardment synthetic approach to prepare Cu(100)-rich thin film electrodes for CO₂ electroreduction with over 50% ethylene Faradaic efficiency at a total current of 12 A.

Towards the Large-Scale Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

The severe increase in the CO2 concentration is a causative factor of global warming, which accelerates the destruction of ecosystems. The massive utilization of CO2 for value-added chemical production is a key to commercialization to guarantee both economic feasibility and negative carbon emission. Although the electrochemical reduction of CO2 is one of the most promising technologies, there are remaining challenges for large-scale production. Herein, an overview of these limitations is provided in terms of devices, processes, and catalysts. Further, the economic feasibility of the technology is described in terms of individual processes such as reactions and separation. Additionally, for the practical implementation of the electrochemical CO2 conversion technology, stable electrocatalytic performances need to be addressed in terms of current density, Faradaic efficiency, and overpotential. Hence, the present review also covers the known degradation behaviors and mechanisms of electrocatalysts and electrodes during electrolysis. Furthermore, strategic approaches for overcoming the stability issues are introduced based on recent reports from various research areas involved in the electrocatalytic conversion.