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Eliminating the need for anodic gas separation in CO2 electroreduction systems via liquid-to-liquid anodic upgrading

Author

Listed:
  • Ke Xie

    (University of Toronto)

  • Adnan Ozden

    (University of Toronto)

  • Rui Kai Miao

    (University of Toronto)

  • Yuhang Li

    (University of Toronto)

  • David Sinton

    (University of Toronto)

  • Edward H. Sargent

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to multi-carbon products (C2+), when powered using renewable electricity, offers a route to valuable chemicals and fuels. In conventional neutral-media CO2-to-C2+ devices, as much as 70% of input CO2 crosses the cell and mixes with oxygen produced at the anode. Recovering CO2 from this stream adds a significant energy penalty. Here we demonstrate that using a liquid-to-liquid anodic process enables the recovery of crossed-over CO2 via facile gas-liquid separation without additional energy input: the anode tail gas is directly fed into the cathodic input, along with fresh CO2 feedstock. We report a system exhibiting a low full-cell voltage of 1.9 V and total carbon efficiency of 48%, enabling 262 GJ/ton ethylene, a 46% reduction in energy intensity compared to state-of-art single-stage CO2-to-C2+ devices. The strategy is compatible with today’s highest-efficiency electrolyzers and CO2 catalysts that function optimally in neutral and alkaline electrolytes.

Suggested Citation

  • Ke Xie & Adnan Ozden & Rui Kai Miao & Yuhang Li & David Sinton & Edward H. Sargent, 2022. "Eliminating the need for anodic gas separation in CO2 electroreduction systems via liquid-to-liquid anodic upgrading," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30677-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30677-x
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    1. Xiaoyi Jiang & Le Ke & Kai Zhao & Xiaoyu Yan & Hongbo Wang & Xiaojuan Cao & Yuchen Liu & Lingjiao Li & Yifei Sun & Zhiping Wang & Dai Dang & Ning Yan, 2024. "Integrating hydrogen utilization in CO2 electrolysis with reduced energy loss," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Shoujie Li & Xiao Dong & Gangfeng Wu & Yanfang Song & Jianing Mao & Aohui Chen & Chang Zhu & Guihua Li & Yiheng Wei & Xiaohu Liu & Jiangjiang Wang & Wei Chen & Wei Wei, 2024. "Ampere-level CO2 electroreduction with single-pass conversion exceeding 85% in acid over silver penetration electrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.

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