Electrochemical CO2 reduction toward multicarbon alcohols - The microscopic world of catalysts & process conditions

Theresa Jaster; Alina Gawel; Daniel Siegmund; Johannes Holzmann; Heiko Lohmann; Elias Klemm; Ulf-Peter Apfel

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2022.104010

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction toward multicarbon alcohols - The microscopic world of catalysts & process conditions

iScience. 2022 Mar 3;25(4):104010. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104010. eCollection 2022 Apr 15.

Authors

Theresa Jaster^{1

2}, Alina Gawel^{1

2}, Daniel Siegmund¹, Johannes Holzmann³, Heiko Lohmann¹, Elias Klemm³, Ulf-Peter Apfel^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Energy, Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT, Osterfelder Str. 3, D46047 Oberhausen, Germany.
² Inorganic Chemistry I, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D44801 Bochum, Germany.
³ Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 55, D70569 Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

Tackling climate change is one of the undoubtedly most important challenges at the present time. This review deals mainly with the chemical aspects of the current status for converting the greenhouse gas CO₂ via electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) to multicarbon alcohols as valuable products. Feasible reaction routes are presented, as well as catalyst synthesis methods such as electrodeposition, precipitation, or sputtering. In addition, a comprehensive overview of the currently achievable selectivities for multicarbon alcohols in CO₂RR is given. It is also outlined to what extent, for example, modifications of the catalyst surfaces or the use of bifunctional compounds the product distribution is shifted. In addition, the influence of varying electrolyte, temperature, and pressure is described and discussed.

Keywords: Catalysis; Electrochemistry.

Publication types

Review