Electrochemical CO 2 Reduction into Chemical Feedstocks: From Mechanistic Electrocatalysis Models to System Design

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 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 CO 2 reduction reaction (CO 2 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 CO 2 RR is discussed along with how this can…

• CI
  Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
• GO
  Government of Ontario
• CR
  Canada Research Chairs
• NS
  Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
• FD
  Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies