Uncovering the cation effects on the electroreduction of CO2 on Pd/C catalysts − an SEIRAS study

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 has gained significant interest recently as it has the potential to trigger a sustainable solar-fuel-based economy. In this Perspective, we highlight several heterogeneous and molecular electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2 and discuss the reaction pathways through which they form various products. Among those, copper is a unique catalyst as it yields hydrocarbon products, mostly methane, ethylene, and ethanol, with acceptable efficiencies. As a result, substantial effort has been invested to determine the special catalytic properties of copper and to elucidate the mechanism through which hydrocarbons are formed. These mechanistic insights, together with mechanistic insights of CO2 reduction on other metals and molecular complexes, can provide crucial guidelines for the design of future catalyst materials able to efficiently and selectively reduce CO2 to useful products. Show more

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising route to convert intermittent renewable energy to storable fuels and valuable chemical feedstocks. To scale this technology for industrial implementation, a deepened understanding of how the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) proceeds will help converge on optimal operating parameters. Here, a techno-economic analysis is presented with the goal of identifying maximally profitable products and the performance targets that must be met to ensure economic viability-metrics that include current density, Faradaic efficiency, energy efficiency, and stability. The latest computational understanding of the CO2 RR is discussed along with how this can contribute to the rational design of efficient, selective, and stable electrocatalysts. Catalyst materials are classified according to their selectivity for products of interest and their potential to achieve performance targets is assessed. The recent progress and opportunities in system design for CO2 electroreduction are described. To conclude, the remaining technological challenges are highlighted, suggesting full-cell energy efficiency as a guiding performance metric for industrial impact. Show more