Coupling electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion with value-added anode processes: An emerging paradigm

Abstract

Water oxidation (i.e., oxygen evolution) reaction is the most often used, green anodic pair of carbon dioxide (CO2) electroreduction, mimicking the natural photosynthetic process. At the same time, it requires high energy input and generates a product of little commercial value (i.e., oxygen). Finding appropriate alternative anode processes to be coupled with CO2 reduction is a major undertaking. Several factors need to be considered, such as (i) the value of the product, (ii) abundance and cost of the substrate, (iii) necessary cell voltage (energy input), (iv) needed catalysts, (v) cell structure and components, and (vi) ease/complexity of product analysis and separation. This opinion discusses all these aspects and outlines the main questions to be answered through future research activity.