Multiscale effects in tandem CO2 electrolysis to C2+ products

CO2 electrolysis is a sustainable technology capable of accelerating global decarbonisation through the production of high-value alternatives to fossil-derived products. CO2 conversion can generate critical multicarbon (C2+) products such as drop-in chemicals ethylene and ethanol, however achieving high selectivity from single-component catalysts is often limited by the competitive formation of C-1 products. Tandem catalysis can overcome C2+ selectivity limitations through the incorporation of a component that generates a high concentration of CO, the primary reactant involved in the C-C coupling step to form C2+ products. A wide range of approaches to promote tandem CO2 electrolysis have been presented in recent literature that span atomic-scale manipulation to device-scale engineering. Therefore, an understanding of multiscale effects that contribute to selectivity alterations are required to develop effective tandem systems. In this review, we use relevant examples to highlight the complex and interlinked contributions to selectivity and provide an outlook for future development of tandem CO2 electrolysis systems.

Automated summary

CO2 electrolysis is a sustainable technology that can accelerate global decarbonization by producing high-value alternatives to fossil-derived products. Single-component catalysts often face limitations in achieving high selectivity due to the competitive formation of C-1 products, but tandem catalysis can overcome these limitations by incorporating a component that generates a high concentration of CO, the primary reactant involved in forming C2+ products. Various approaches to promote tandem CO2 electrolysis have been proposed, ranging from atomic-scale manipulation to device-scale engineering.