Electrocatalytic CO2 conversion to C2 products: Catalysts design, market perspectives and techno-economic aspects

The energy crisis caused by the incessant growth in global energy demand joint to its associated greenhouse emissions motivates the urgent need to control and mitigate atmospheric CO2 levels. Leveraging CO2 as carbon pool to produce value-added products represents a cornerstone of the circular economy. Among the CO2 utilization strategies, electrochemical reduction of CO2 conversion to produce fuels and chemicals is booming due to its versatility and end-product flexibility. Herein most of the studies focused on C-1 products although C-2 and C2+ compounds are chemically and economically more appealing targets requiring advanced catalytic materials. Still, despite the complex pathways for C2+ products formation, their multiple and assorted applications have motivated the search of suitable electrocatalysts. In this review, we gather and analyse in a comprehensive manner the progress made regarding C2+ products considering not only the catalyst design and the electrochemistry features but also techno-economic aspects in order to envisage the most profitable scenarios. This state-of-the-art analysis showcases that electrochemical reduction of CO2 to C-2 products will play a key role in the decarbonisation of the chemical industry paving the way towards a low-carbon future.

Automated summary

The energy crisis and greenhouse gas emissions caused by the continuous growth in global energy demand have led to the urgent need to control and reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. Utilizing CO2 as a carbon pool to produce value-added products is a cornerstone of the circular economy. Among the strategies for CO2 utilization, electrochemical reduction of CO2 to produce fuels and chemicals is gaining popularity due to its versatility and flexibility in end products. While most studies have focused on C-1 products, targeting C-2 and C2+ compounds is more attractive from a chemical and economic perspective, but requires advanced catalytic materials. Despite the complex pathways for C2+ product formation, their various applications have driven the search for suitable electrocatalysts. This review comprehensively analyzes the progress made in C2+ products, considering catalyst design, electrochemistry features, and techno-economic aspects, to envision the most profitable scenarios. This analysis demonstrates that the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to C-2 products will play a key role in the decarbonization of the chemical industry, paving the way towards a low-carbon future.