System-Level Approaches for Intensifying the CO2 Electrolysis Process: From Reaction Chemistry to Process Development

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) is a promising alternative for producing carbon-based value-added chemicals such as carbon monoxide, ethylene, and ethanol that are currently produced using thermochemical fossil fuel-based production methods.1 Despite research breakthroughs, significant improvements are still needed in terms of activities (partial current densities – pCDs), selectivities (Faradaic efficiencies – FEs), and full cell energy efficiencies (EEs) before the CO2 electrolysis process can be employed at industrial scales in an economically feasible and carbon-neutral manner.2